U.S. Navy completes first Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine ...
U.S. Navy USS Cheyenne becomes the first Los Angeles-class submarine to complete a Navy SLEP refueling overhaul, extending service life beyond 44 years.
www.armyrecognition.comHere’s a concise update on the Los Angeles-class submarines.
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Latest developments: The U.S. Navy has begun and, in some cases, completed Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP) on several Los Angeles-class boats, including an overhaul and reactor refueling to extend service life beyond 44 years, with at least the USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) highlighted as the first to complete this overhaul by end of 2025. Additionally, reports indicate ongoing plans to identify further Los Angeles-class boats for SLEP in FY2026, depending on budget and condition, to sustain undersea capability into the early 2030s. A separate development in April 2026 notes the US Navy deactivating the USS Boise (SSN 764) after sustainment delays, signaling a shift in fleet priorities and budget allocation, though this relates to a specific boat rather than the entire class.[2][3][4]
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Context and scope: The Los Angeles-class remains the backbone of U.S. Navy fast-attack capability, with modernization efforts focusing on propulsion core replacement, updated combat and sensor systems, and hull integrity to keep them viable in the near term while newer classes come online. Several sources still note the class aging, with total builds historically numbering in the 50s range and many boats operated across multiple decades.[5][6][9][2]
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What this means for you: If you’re tracking current deployments or readiness, expect mixed statuses across the class—some boats in active service with SLEP upgrades, others nearing deactivation or already transferred for overhaul at shipyards—reflecting the Navy’s balance between sustaining the Los Angeles-class and prioritizing newer platforms.[3][2]
Illustrative note:
- Cheyenne’s SLEP overhaul case demonstrates the depth of modernization: reactor core replacement, upgraded sonar and combat systems, and post-overhaul trials returning the boat to capable, ready status.[2]
If you’d like, I can compile a focused brief with exact boats in SLEP as of the latest month, or map out a quick timeline of notable LA-class milestones. Citations:
- Details on Cheyenne’s SLEP and fleet-wide extension plans.[2]
- US Navy deactivation of Boise and its implications.[4][3]
- General background and class overview sources.[6][5]