USS Santa Barbara is at risk of catastrophic engine failure

The US Navy's newest littoral combat ship, the USS Santa Barbara, is at risk of catastrophic mechanical failure due to critical engine life.

Emergency intervention by specialists is necessary to maintain the ship's combat readiness and prevent a threat to the life of the crew.

Epsilon Systems Solutions was awarded the contract to perform emergency inspections and repairs of the power plant without going through public bidding.

WASHINGTON, September 28 - RIA Novosti. The US Navy's newest coastal combat ship, the Santa Barbara, faces catastrophic mechanical failure due to the critical exhaustion of its engines, according to the department's tender documentation, which was studied by RIA Novosti.

“All four engines are currently operating beyond their maximum operating hours and are at risk of experiencing a catastrophic failure if this maintenance is not performed immediately,” the US Navy said in a document justifying the purchase from a single supplier.

We are talking about two main running diesel engines and two marine diesel generators of the vessel. The American military department emphasized that emergency intervention by specialists is necessary to maintain the combat readiness of the aircraft and prevent a threat to the life of the crew.

The emergency work period is set to October 11, 2026, and the contract to conduct emergency inspections and repairs of the power plant was awarded to Epsilon Systems Solutions without a public tender, according to the documentation.