The Pentagon tapped the Groton-built USS Colorado (SSN-788) to be the lead attack boat in western Australia under the 2021 trilateral AUKUS security agreement.
Colorado will be assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West—based at HMAS Stirling outside of Perth—beginning in late 2027, the Pentagon said this week. SRF-West is expected to host up to four U.S. fast-attack submarines and one UK fast-attack submarine on a rotational basis at HMAS Stirling, a Royal Australian Navy base in Western Australia.
The Virginia-class submarine, commissioned in 2018, arrived at HMAS Stirling Tuesday for a month of routine maintenance. Colorado has been homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii since 2024 after moving from Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton.
Mike Nowak, EB’s director of attack submarine construction, said Colorado’s journey began in 2015 when the team at Quonset Point shipped the 788’s final module to Groton. By late 2016, the Groton project team had rolled the ship out of Building 260 for launch.
“We had no idea at the time of the global reach of our day-to-day efforts in delivering her to the fleet,” Nowak said. “I take pride in knowing that the impressive design of this ship, the skill of our work force in getting her built, tested and delivered, is on display across the free world.”
AUKUS is part of efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
“Electric Boat is proud to support the strengthening of international partnerships that this milestone represents,” said Danielle Pereira, EB’s director of AUKUS and international programs. “We are excited to be part of the broader trilateral program and to contribute to a more secure and stable Indo‑Pacific region.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, applauded the Pentagon’s announcement, saying it shows that AUKUS is moving “full steam ahead with Congress and the Navy in lock step with the UK and Australia.”
He praised Electric Boat’s shipbuilders and tradesmen.
“These highly talented men and women have taken the U.S. commitments to AUKUS and unprecedented demand to grow and recapitalize the U.S. attack and ballistic missile submarine fleet all in stride,” Courtney said. “It’s their work and expertise that maintains undersea supremacy for us and our allies today and for decades to come.”
As part of the trilateral defense deal, Australia will acquire three or more Virginia-class boats to replace its aging diesel-electric Collins-class vessels. The U.S. boats will bridge the transition from the Collins-class fleet to the future SSN-AUKUS submarine being developed by Australia and the UK.
“SRF-West will accelerate Australia’s readiness to own, operate, maintain, and regulate a sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, as well as support submarine deployments by expanding maintenance options and sustainment infrastructure in the region for AUKUS partners,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
North Stonington Warehouse Project Reaches Milestone
Electric Boat’s North Stonington warehouse project reached a symbolic milestone Oct. 23 when a heavy crane lifted the final roof joist into place just six months after construction got underway on the massive, 480,000 square-foot facility. Scores of trades workers, project managers and EB officials signed the steel joist with Sharpies before it was raised....Continue reading→
Celebrating Our Next Generation of Shipbuilders
The Next Generation of Shipbuilders Takes the Stage Over the past two weeks, Electric Boat welcomed the next generation of shipbuilders at our Rhode Island and Connecticut Signing Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a journey that will help shape the future of our company and our nation’s defense. Held at Cranston High School West...Continue reading→
Parking and Transportation Schedule Update
A Message from Beth Rafferty: Parking and Transportation Schedule Update Last weekend’s snowstorm exacerbated our parking challenges in Groton. During this massive winter storm, the least impactful option for snow removal from the shipyard and adjacent parking lots was to the M Lot. Unfortunately, this has taken away desperately needed parking spots. We have been...Continue reading→
