USS Springfield (SSN-761)

USS Springfield (SSN-761)

USS Springfield (SSN-761), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to bear that name. The ship was named in honor of both the cities of Springfield, Illinois and Springfield, Massachusetts.

The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 21 March 1986, and her keel was laid on 29 January 1990. She was launched on 4 January 1992 sponsored by the Honorable Lynn Martin, and commissioned on 9 January 1993 with Commander Richard K. Ford in command. Springfield is homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton and is assigned to Submarine Squadron FOUR.

In mid-2004, Springfield began an extensive overhaul, or Depot Modernization Period (DMP), at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton. In addition to normal periodic maintenance and repairs, Springfield received extensive modernization in fire control systems, sonar processing, weapons launch systems, and communications outfit, a ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, as well as stealth improvements and engine room upgrades. The modernization was the first major overhaul and repair job for Electric Boat in almost 25 years. Originally awarded as a 12 month, $26.3 million depot modernization, Springfield was to be the test case for the possibility of awarding future repair and overhaul contracts to Electric Boat. The overhaul was plagued by cost and time overruns, and when finally completed in December 2005, it was several months late and well over budget.