The USS Connecticut submarine will return to service in 2026 after a severe accident in the ocean

In 2021, the American nuclear submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) from the elite Seawolf class crashed into an unknown seamount somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. As a result of the accident, the boat was seriously damaged, especially in the bow, but, fortunately, the nuclear installation remained intact.  

After the incident, she was sent for long—term repairs, and now it has become known that the submarine is scheduled to return to service in 2026. This is an important task for the US Navy, because they have only three such boats, and each is a real technical masterpiece.

At the time of the accident, the boat was seriously damaged — it literally had no nose cone, and part of the hull was also damaged. All this happened because the crew did not notice the danger on the map — the mountain was not marked on the navigation systems. The result is a hard blow and serious consequences.  

As a result of the investigation, part of the team was fired, including the boat commander, who was simply stripped of his position. It was recognized that not only navigation errors were to blame, but also general negligence in management.

Now specialists are actively working on the restoration of the submarine. The plans are not only to repair, but also to modernize its systems in order to avoid such problems in the future and increase combat capabilities.  

Given that Seawolf is one of the most technologically advanced classes of submarines in the world, its return will greatly strengthen the US position in the submarine component of the fleet. The loss of even one such boat is a serious blow to strategic capabilities.

The incident with the USS Connecticut has become an important lesson for the US Navy. Now they are working hard on discipline, crew training and monitoring the implementation of all procedures. The goal is to prevent this from happening again.

In general, although the boat has suffered a serious blow, its recovery is on schedule, and in a couple of years it will be back on combat duty.

 USS Connecticut (SSN-22)