The US Navy has completed an engineered refueling overhaul (ERO) on the USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) in Washington.

ERO applies complex modernization, maintenance, and alterations for a submarine to extend its operability. It involves a lengthy process of replacing the submarine’s nuclear reactor fuel elements.

Last ERO for Ohio-Class SubmarinesAccording to the US Navy, the overhaul is the largest repair package implemented on the Louisiana and is the final ERO maintenance for an Ohio-class submarine.

The effort required 870,000 resource days over 40 months of work.

“The Louisiana ERO was tasked to complete 120,000 more resource days of work than the USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) ERO and 150,000 more resource days of work than the USS Maine (SSBN 741) ERO,” Louisiana ERO Project Superintendent Ken Rogers Jr. explained.

“Additionally, the length of Louisiana’s ERO was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and unexpected new work items that included an unprecedented repair to a communication system.”

‘Outstanding’ EffortAlongside the refueling works, the PSNS & IMF provided Louisiana with electronic system upgrades, major components replacements, women’s quarter reconfiguration, and associated repairs and inspections.

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743). Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds/US Navy“They (PSNS & IMF team) leaned-in to ensure the project was working the right priorities at the right time to support each major key event,” Rogers stated.

“Their attention-to-detail, people-first leadership, and drive to meet the project’s goals was outstanding.”

“The ship’s commanding officer, Cdr. Mike Kessler and I were completely aligned on goals, metrics and manning requirements to support all the work. I greatly appreciate his partnership during the ERO.”

USS Louisiana in ServiceThe USS Louisiana is the 18th and last Ohio-class submarine. It is the fourth US Navy asset to bear the name.

The submarine’s keel was laid in 1992. It was christened in 1996 and commissioned into service the following year in Georgia.

Based in Kings Bay, the Louisiana was transferred to Bangor, Washington, in 2005.