More than four years after a serious collision in the South China Sea, the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Connecticut is preparing to return to active service. The U.S. Navy expects the Seawolf-class sub to be back in action by September, following major repairs that started after its 2021 accident.

However, even as the submarine heads back to sea, the Navy has already set a retirement target of 2031, according to the May 2026 US Navy Shipbuilding Plan.

USS Connecticut (SSN-22) was launched in Groton, Connecticut, on September 1, 1997, and entered service in December 1998. It was the second of just three Seawolf-class submarines built by General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Built during a changing era

The Seawolf program started during the Cold War, with plans to build 29 submarines to counter advanced Soviet threats. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, those plans changed quickly. The Navy canceled most of the vessels under the program and switched to the less expensive Virginia-class submarines, which are still being built today.

Congress allowed a small number of Seawolf submarines to be built to keep U.S. submarine shipyards running during the transition. Even though only a few were built, the Seawolf class became known for its speed, stealth, and combat power. 

Collision that nearly ended in disaster

The submarine’s most serious incident occurred in October 2021 during a classified mission in the South China Sea. USS Connecticut struck an underwater seamount, forcing an emergency ascent and injuring 11 sailors.

A Navy investigation later found that the crew ran into several technical problems while trying to surface. The equipment that makes high-pressure air failed, and a backup trim pump overheated and briefly caught fire before it was put out.

The submarine eventually reached Guam and later headed to the U.S. West Coast. Investigators found additional damage, including a missing bow dome and rocks stuck in the ballast tanks.

The report concluded that the accident was preventable and resulted from failures in navigation planning and risk management. The submarine’s commanding officer was relieved of duty.

Years of repairs in dry dock

Since December 2021, USS Connecticut has remained at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington. The repair effort required a newly manufactured bow dome, a process that took more than three years.

The submarine’s long time out of service shows how hard it is to maintain these specialized vessels. Even though its nuclear engine was not damaged, fixing the submarine required a lot of structural repairs.

The Seawolf-class submarine is one of the Navy’s most advanced, weighing over 9,100 tons underwater and carrying a strong mix of torpedoes and other weapons.

Future submarines may borrow from Seawolf

The Navy plans to retire USS Connecticut in 2031, but some officials think that date might change since the submarine was out of service for years during repairs. Meanwhile, the Navy is working on its next-generation attack submarine, called SSN(X). The new design will be made to work with unmanned systems and advanced weapons.

Experts believe the qualities that made Seawolf famous remain highly relevant even today. As China grows its navy and autonomous technology becomes more important, many of the features first used in the Seawolf class could shape the next generation of American submarines.