Submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) was commissioned in 1992, so it turns out one-third of its life was spent idle and in repair.
U.S. Navy in official April 10 press release announced plans to decommission USS Boise (SSN 764) Los Angeles-class attack submarine. As Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle reported, such decision was made after careful analysis and is difficult but necessary, also being part of broader service initiative to optimize country's naval fleet composition.
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Caudle emphasizes this is a strategic move enabling redistribution of highly qualified specialists to other projects — supplying new Virginia and Columbia-class submarines and increasing fleet combat readiness overall.
The U.S. Navy emphasizes they are changing work approaches today, specifically involving ensuring all resources are directed toward best increasing combat readiness so fleet can counter future challenges.
At the same time, this news is interesting because submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) has not gone to sea for years.
TWZ tells its story in detail — this submarine has not performed tasks since returning from its last deployment back in January 2015, over 11 years ago. Subsequently it was admitted impossible to operate.
Despite plans to conduct USS Boise maintenance in 2019 at private shipyard, the submarine entered drydock only in 2021. Two years were allocated for conducting work, however work was only partially conducted, with restoration contract officially signed only in 2024. Work was planned to complete by 2029 and then return submarine to service.
The decision to ultimately dispose of this submarine is very belated but correct. Over entire time, work was completed barely quarter of planned, with Pentagon investments in repair amounting to approximately $800 million at estimated total project cost of as much as $3 billion.
Submarine USS Boise effectively spent one-third of its life in repair/idle — submarine construction contract was concluded in 1987, keel laying occurred year later. This submarine was launched in 1991, with commissioning occurring in 1992.
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