US Navy Switches Inactivation Dates for Dallas and Norfolk Submarines

On May 30 the US Navy announced changes to the inactivation timelines for two Los Angeles-class submarines that are scheduled to retire from active service.

The service life for USS Dallas (SSN 700) has been extended to fiscal year 2017 and USS Norfolk (SSN 714) will begin inactivation in early 2015. Dallas and Norfolk were most recently slated for inactivation in fiscal years 2015 and 2017 respectively.

Inactivating Norfolk in the upcoming fiscal year, in place of Dallas, enables the Navy to meet mission needs, balance workload and workforce requirements for shipyards across the force, and lower projected pre-inactivation availability costs.

The Navy is projected to save $10 million in Pre-Inactivation Restricted Availability (PIRA) costs as a result of the change. Submarine force leaders and planners continually monitor all aspects of the force and refine plans to optimize readiness and capabilities.

Norfolk is currently completing her last scheduled overseas deployment, which began in February. After returning to her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, she will transit to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine to undergo inactivation. Norfolk was commissioned May 21, 1983.

Dallas, which is currently based at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, completed her most recent overseas deployment last November. She was commissioned July 18, 1981.

Los Angeles-class submarines represent the bulk of the Navy’s attack submarine force. They are equipped to hunt adversary maritime vessels, strike targets ashore and support special forces. Their capabilities also include covert surveillance and contributions to mine warfare missions.

Sixty-two Los Angeles-class attack submarines were constructed from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s. Forty-one are presently in active service.

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Press Release, June 02, 2014