The USS Tennessee submarine is getting a makeover at the Trident Refit Facility at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. (TRF-KB).
Since January 2020, the refit facility has had six Ohio-class guided-missile submarines and ballistic missile submarines in dry dock with less than 10 days between dockings.
The U.S. Navy announced the submarine is undergoing an extended refit.
“USS Tennessee recently entered the Kings Bay dry dock to commence an extended maintenance and modernization period that includes, among the many planned improvements, the installation of advanced acoustic superiority capabilities,” said Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, Submarine Forces in a news release.
The East Coast’s ballistic missile submarine hub in Southeast Georgia has been busy keeping up the readiness of its legacy Ohio-class submarines, while also laying the groundwork to welcome the new Columbia class of submarines later in the decade.
DVIDS, a government news agency, reported the USS Tennessee will be the last submarine in the Kings Bay dry dock before a $554 million dry dock refurbishment project begins this summer.
The nuclear-powered USS Tennessee was launched in December 1986. It’s the fourth vessel and first submarine to be named for the nation’s 16th state.
It was the nation’s first Trident II missile submarine to be commissioned. The 560-foot long sub carries a crew of 13 officers and 121 enlisted members. It has 24 missile tubes, 4 torpedo tubes and is homeported at Kings Bay.
Correction: An earlier version of this story listed an incorrect length for the USS Tennessee.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
