$48M refurbishing OK’d for USS Toledo

Local firms urged to seek part of work

The U.S. Navy has authorized a nearly $48 million contract to refurbish the nuclear submarine USS Toledo.

The Navy announced the award to General Dynamics Electric Boat for maintenance and modernization of the Toledo, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.

Under the contract, Electric Boat will plan and perform a “dry-docking selected restricted availability,” which consists of maintenance work, alterations, and modernization to ensure the submarine is operating at full technical capacity.

The work will take place at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn., is to involve up to 300 employees, and is scheduled for completion next September.

The contract was initially awarded in May and has a potential value of $65 million if all options are exercised.

The sub was launched in 1993 and was commissioned in February, 1995. It was designed to seek and destroy submarines and surface ships, as well as strike land targets.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) said the contract is an opportunity for firms in her northern Ohio district to compete. She noted that Teledyne Turbine Engines, on Laskey Road in Toledo, produced the missile turbine engine for the U.S. Navy Harpoon that is carried on the USS Toledo.

“This is part of the nuclear fleet,” Miss Kaptur said. “I just hope that with the size of this contract, that some of our firms that are involved in submarines and weapon systems will bid on this.” She said the subcommittee on defense appropriations, on which she serves, approved the expenditure. “This is a matter of great local pride. She has been very seaworthy and we’re very proud to have a vessel named after the city of Toledo,” Miss Kaptur said.

The vessel’s progress has been closely followed in Toledo. In 2010, to mark the 15th anniversary of the commissioning, the Postal Service authorized a special hand stamp cancellation.

In 2009, Tony Packo’s Cafe sent coolers filled with signature Packo foods to Groton, where the sub is based. The Toledo contingent served 120 USS Toledo servicemen a lunch of Tony Packo hot dogs, chicken chili, chicken paprikash, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese.

In 2008, four sailors from the vessel spent a week in Toledo getting medical training at Toledo Hospital and with Toledo Fire Department rescue crews in handling emergencies.