Norfolk Naval Shipyard has launched a new submarine maintenance facility to boost the timeliness of ship deliveries from the U.S. Navy’s public shipyards. The two-storey facility supports the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, and houses maintenance, production and support activities in a single venue beside the shipyard’s submarine drydocks, Naval Sea Systems Command said Tuesday. The 24,000-square foot building employs an open-office design to accommodate collaborative work with teams working on submarine projects.
“This facility will foster that environment by putting shops from 15 locations under one roof where they can work more efficiently with each other as they fulfill the mission,” said Capt. Kai Torkelson, shipyard commander at NNSY.Â
The Navy spent $9.9 million and over three years to complete the building that meets calamity resistance and anti-terrorist protection requirements. Blast-proof windows and thick concrete walls protect the facility’s interior. The building supports maintenance efforts on Los Angeles-class submarines, and will accommodate Virginia and Colombia classes in the future, according to Pat Ensley, submarine program manager at NNSY.
