U.S. Navy sends USS New Mexico to Portsmouth for modernization

The United States Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on February 21, 2026, beginning a scheduled major overhaul intended to extend the submarine’s operational life and upgrade its combat capabilities. The nuclear-powered submarine, crewed by more than 120 Sailors, will undergo extensive modernization work designed to prepare it for future operational demands.

The overhaul comes as the Navy seeks to maintain readiness across its attack submarine fleet amid sustained global maritime commitments and growing undersea competition. Periodic deep maintenance availabilities are required to preserve combat effectiveness, ensure safety, and integrate updated systems needed for operations in contested environments.

Capt. Jesse Nice, commander of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, described the submarine’s arrival as a key moment for both the shipyard and the fleet.

“The arrival of USS New Mexico is a significant event for our shipyard and the Nation,” Nice said. “The world-class team here at Portsmouth is excited to welcome New Mexico back to the Shipyard, and we’re ready to apply our unmatched expertise to this critical overhaul. Our mission is clear: to deliver a modernized, more lethal submarine back to the fleet with impeccable quality, ensuring our Nation’s warfighters have the decisive edge they need.”

Since departing the shipyard on December 7, 2019, USS New Mexico has completed multiple deployments and exercises supporting United States and allied maritime operations. Navy officials said those activities demonstrated the continued operational value of Virginia-class submarines across a wide range of missions tied to national and international security.

According to the Navy, the submarine recently earned the Commander Submarine Squadron 6 Battle Efficiency Award for 2025, recognizing overall operational performance at sea. Capt. Jason Deichler, commodore of Submarine Squadron TWO, said the recognition reflects the crew’s sustained readiness prior to entering overhaul.

“New Mexico arrived in Portsmouth as the proud winner of the Commander Submarine Squadron 6 Battle Efficiency award for 2025 – proof positive that their at-sea performance has been nothing short of exceptional,” Deichler said. “This overhaul is a top priority for the Navy, and the crew and PNSY teams are ready to commence the on-time delivery of a national asset back to the fleet with the advanced warfighting capabilities required to dominate in any contested environment.”

The modernization effort will be managed by a dedicated project team working alongside the submarine’s crew. Navy officials said the availability includes extensive maintenance alongside upgrades to critical onboard systems intended to improve operational readiness and long-term sustainability.

Patrick Coleman, project superintendent for USS New Mexico, emphasized the scale and preparation involved in the overhaul.

“This is a complex availability with thousands of moving parts, but our project team is fully integrated with the ship’s crew and has been preparing for this day for months,” Coleman said. “Our focus is locked in on two things: safety and quality. We have the right people and the right plan in place to execute this overhaul efficiently and return New Mexico to the Navy as the most capable submarine in the fleet.”

Virginia-class fast-attack submarines form a central component of the United States undersea force. Designed as multi-mission platforms, they conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship operations, intelligence collection, surveillance, and precision strike missions against land targets. Their stealth characteristics and endurance allow them to operate forward for extended periods while remaining difficult to detect.

In practical terms, these submarines support sea control and power projection by tracking adversary naval forces, protecting carrier strike groups, and holding strategic targets at risk from long range. They are also capable of deploying special operations forces and conducting covert reconnaissance missions, roles that have grown in importance as maritime competition expands into contested regions.

The Navy stated that detailed planning between Portsmouth Naval Shipyard personnel and the submarine’s crew began months before arrival to ensure the overhaul proceeds on schedule. Such maintenance periods typically include inspection of propulsion systems, hull integrity work, modernization of combat systems, and upgrades aligned with evolving operational requirements.

USS New Mexico is commanded by Cmdr. Joseph Kimock, who assumed command on January 28, 2026. The submarine’s host community is Portsmouth, New Hampshire, reflecting long-standing ties between the fleet and the regional shipyard workforce supporting nuclear submarine maintenance.