USS Toledo Returns to Service After Major Overhaul, Ready for Future Missions

After nearly a year in dry dock, the US Navy's nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) is back in action. The submarine has completed an intensive eleven-month engineering overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia, aimed at extending its operational life and enhancing its capabilities for future missions.

The overhaul was far more than routine maintenance—it was a full-scale modernization effort. Key upgrades included installing new mast and periscope systems and conducting comprehensive engine room tests. The work was part of the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, which is designed to ensure that shipyards can efficiently handle the evolving needs of the nuclear fleet.

The project brought together a team of 50 skilled employees from various shipyard production shops, working closely with the submarine’s crew and outside contractors. Their coordinated efforts ensured that the submarine received the attention it needed to return to peak condition. NNSY Commander Captain Jip Mosman praised the team’s dedication, comparing the complex overhaul process to running a marathon and acknowledging the collective effort required to reach the finish line.

USS Toledo is one of 20 active Los Angeles-class submarines in the US Navy fleet. These submarines are known for their stealth, speed, and versatility, making them critical assets in both peacetime operations and combat missions. Toledo first entered service in 1997 and has since built a strong record of deployments, including drug interdiction operations in the Caribbean and intelligence-gathering missions during the Afghanistan War.

In more recent years, the vessel has made port visits in strategic locations such as Bahrain, Norway, and Scotland. The crew’s commitment and performance earned them the prestigious Navy Unit Commendation in 2020 for an eight-month deployment focused on intelligence collection.

The submarine is a technological powerhouse, weighing over 6,000 tons and capable of reaching submerged speeds exceeding 34.5 miles (55.5 kilometers) per hour. Its propulsion system includes an S6G pressurized water reactor, steam turbines, and a backup 325-horsepower propulsion motor—giving it both power and agility beneath the waves.

Now refurbished and modernized, the USS Toledo is once again ready to serve the fleet, equipped for the challenges of modern naval operations. Its return strengthens the Navy's ability to project power, gather intelligence, and maintain a strong underwater presence across the globe.