SSN Los Angeles Class Nuclear Submarine - Naval Technology
The United States Navy has 51 nuclear powered Los Angeles Class submarines, 16 in the Pacific Fleet and 32 in…
www.naval-technology.comHere are the latest developments on Los Angeles-class submarines, based on public reporting up to April 2026.
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Recent status of the class: The U.S. Navy has been conducting Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) upgrades on several Los Angeles-class boats, including refueling overhaul and modernization of combat and sensor systems. This effort aims to extend service life and maintain operational readiness amid fleet modernization pressures.[1][2]
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Specific vessel milestones: USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), the last Los Angeles-class submarine, completed a Navy SLEP refueling overhaul in late 2025 and began post-overhaul sea trials, marking a major modernization milestone for the class. Reports indicate additional Los Angeles-class boats were being considered for SLEP work, depending on budget and structural conditions.[2]
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Deactivation and fleet reshaping: In April 2026, the U.S. Navy announced the deactivation of USS Boise (SSN 764), another Los Angeles-class boat, after extended sustainment delays. The decision shifts budget and workforce toward other programs and reflects ongoing fleet optimization as newer classes (e.g., Virginia-class) expand in numbers and capability.[3][4]
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Context and outlook: The Los Angeles class, built from the late 1970s through the 1990s, has remained a workhorse of the Navy’s attack submarine force but is aging relative to newer designs. The SLEP program is a key sustainment strategy to keep the boats relevant until a broader transition to newer submarines is complete.[5][6]
Illustration example:
- The Cheyenne’s SLEP overhaul encompassed reactor core refueling, upgrades to sonar and combat systems, and modernization of crew habitability, illustrating the multi-domain updates typical of the program.[2]
What this means for local observers in Los Angeles, CA:
- The class remains a transitional backbone until newer submarine classes fully replace aging Los Angeles boats, with at least Cheyenne actively modernized and Boise decommissioned as part of fleet reallocation.[3][2]
If you’d like, I can pull specific timelines, per-boat statuses, or summarize the SLEP components per vessel in a compact table. I can also prepare a short chart showing the class’s updated service-life projections and the expected pace of transition to Virginia-class boats.