An Action News Jax investigation is uncovering new information about a local company accused of making faulty equipment for multimillion-dollar Navy submarines.
Nuflo Inc. is accused of doing shoddy work on piping in a sub's nuclear reactor. The problem affects at least three new submarines.
Quality control issues, incorrect testing and undocumented weld repairs are the accusations laid out in the Navy's response to our questions about the Navy Times article calling out Nuflo Inc.
The Jacksonville-based manufacturer's website says it is the primary manufacturer for fittings for U.S. Navy submarines.
The Navy Times reports defective Nuflo elbow pipes used to funnel steam to a brand-new submarine’s turbines showed evidence of "jury-rigged welding."
“It would be a major problem aboard any ship,” said Navy Veteran Victor Almen, who served aboard the USS Enterprise during Vietnam working as a mechanical operator for similar piping systems.
“If there is a crack in the weld or rupture in the weld, it can endanger everyone in that compartment,” Almen said.
Navy officials gave us a statement saying pipe fittings aboard new subs and naval ships are requiring more inspections. Navy officials say three new subs, the Minnesota, North Dakota and John Warner, all have these pipe fittings aboard and are getting looked at. Here is the full statement:
"The fittings, which are used in various piping applications aboard new construction submarines, are also installed on other ships. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, the Navy, in coordination with its industry partners, has been performing additional inspections and surveys throughout the fleet to fully bound the issue.
"No submarines with fittings manufactured by the vendor in question were recalled from deployment. For submarines completing new construction, all inspections and repairs have been completed or will be completed prior to delivery to the Navy. Three submarines are having applicable fittings resolved in PSA. USS MINNESOTA (SSN 783) is in its planned Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) completing the remaining repairs, and will be determined acceptable for continued operations once repairs are complete this summer. USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784) is in its planned PSA, and USS JOHN WARNER (SSN 785) has just returned to start its PSA. Both ships will be determined acceptable for continued operations before completion of PSA.
"The Navy has concluded that ships operating with fittings supplied by the vendor in question are safe to continue operations. The Navy remains committed to building the safest, most capable warships in the world and has a long tradition of safety and quality and will take the time needed to ensure the components meet its high standards."
The Minnesota is set to have its repairs completed this summer before it is delivered to the Navy.
We went to Nuflo’s Brentwood plant to try and get answers. An employee refused to speak with us and also told us a lawyer wouldn't speak either about the reported quality control issues aboard some of America's newest subs.
Officials at Kings Bay in Georgia said none of the affected subs is based there.