Shipbuilder alerts DOJ to faulty welds on navy vessels
Shipyard reports potentially deliberate weld flaws on submarines and carriers
Newport News Shipbuilding has informed the Department of Justice about potentially deliberate faulty welds on non-critical parts of active submarines and aircraft carriers. This information came to light through a report on Thursday.
Internal quality checks at the shipbuilding company identified the substandard welds, with preliminary findings suggesting intentional errors. A statement from the company outlined their immediate response: “After discovering that some welds failed to meet our rigorous standards, we promptly informed our customers and regulators, initiated an investigation, identified the root cause, and implemented corrective measures to prevent recurrence.”
The statement further emphasised the company’s commitment: “Newport News Shipbuilding is dedicated to producing top-quality aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy. Any actions that compromise our values and mission of delivering secure ships for our nation and its sailors are unacceptable.”
DoJ Notified of Suspected Intentionally Faulty Welds on Subs, Aircraft Carriers at Newport News Shipbuilding – USNI Newshttps://t.co/IHmOLTRJKU
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) September 26, 2024
The Navy has launched an investigation to assess the extent of the issue. “The Navy is aware of the matter and is conducting a thorough evaluation to determine the impact. Ensuring the safety of our sailors and ships is our highest priority. We are collaborating with industry partners to resolve this situation and will provide updates as available,” the Navy’s statement indicated.
Newport News Shipbuilding, part of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), is one of the two nuclear shipyards in the United States. It is currently involved in constructing the Ford-class aircraft carrier and components for the Virginia-class attack submarine.
What Other Media Are Saying
- None. The provided link does not lead to a publicly accessible news article, making it impossible to derive an overview or key points.(read more)
- USNI News reports the DoJ was notified of suspected intentionally faulty welds on subs and aircraft carriers at Newport News Shipbuilding, raising serious safety concerns.(read more)
- Stars and Stripes reports on faulty welds discovered by Newport News Shipbuilding, potentially done intentionally, on noncritical submarine and carrier components, highlighting safety concerns and ongoing investigations.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What company reported faulty welds on submarines and aircraft carriers?
Newport News Shipbuilding.
How were the faulty welds discovered?
Through internal quality assurance systems.
What immediate actions did Newport News Shipbuilding take after discovering the faulty welds?
They communicated with customers and regulators, investigated, determined root cause, and implemented corrective actions.
What is the Navy doing about the faulty welds?
The Navy is conducting a thorough evaluation to determine the scope of the issue.
Which types of vessels were affected by the faulty welds?
In-service submarines and aircraft carriers.
