Fairbanks Morse Defense Discusses Seawolf-Class Submarine Maintenance

Fairbanks Morse Defense CEO George Whittier said the company is discussing possible maintenance work with the Navy on its three Seawolf-class submarines. Whittier said the work would follow FMD’s ongoing submarine overhaul projects.

Key details

• The ongoing projects cover Los Angeles- and Ohio-class submarines and are expected to finish in the late 2020s.
• NAVSEA awarded FMD a follow-on contract for emergency diesel generator overhauls on six Los Angeles- and Ohio-class submarines. The contract was valued at about $100 million and was awarded in October.
• FMD previously overhauled emergency diesel generators on three submarines: two Ohio-class and one Los Angeles-class.
• FMD completed about 10 Navy “Pit Stop” maintenance events over five years and planned 10 more in 2027 for surface ships.
• FMD announced an expansion of its Bird-Johnson Propeller Company facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, with a goal of doubling naval propulsion-system capacity. The Navy investment totals $27 million and is funded largely through Australia’s contribution to the U.S. Submarine Industrial Base under AUKUS Pillar I.

The Navy’s Seawolf class consists of three submarines.

Why it matters

FMD’s current submarine work spans Los Angeles- and Ohio-class boats, while the discussions concern the Navy’s smaller Seawolf fleet. The Pascagoula facility expansion targets naval propulsion capacity and includes funding tied to the U.S. Submarine Industrial Base.