Navy Shelves $3 Billion Overhaul of USS Boise

The U.S. Navy announced today that it will mothball the Los Angeles‑class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN‑764), ending a decade‑long period of inactivity. The decision follows a $1.2 billion contract awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in 2024, which has now been cancelled as the estimated lifecycle cost surged toward $3 billion.

Navy Secretary John Phelan framed the move as a “data‑driven” step toward the Trump‑backed fleet overhaul, freeing labor and financial resources for vessels that can return to sea sooner. While the cancellation does not resolve the broader maintenance backlog, officials said it will allow the service to prioritize ships in public yards that are ready for deployment.

HII’s spokesperson confirmed the notice, emphasizing that the termination will have “no impact to our workforce” and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to U.S. undersea maritime supremacy. Boise, which sat idle from 2015 to 2023 waiting for a shipyard slot, has become a symbol of the Navy’s chronic repair delays.

The move aligns with a larger effort to streamline shipbuilding and sustain the Navy’s operational tempo amid mounting fiscal pressures.