In June 2008 construction started on a stronger and slightly larger personnel sphere which may be used to upgrade "Alvin" (for use from 2011), before being used in an entirely new vehicle. The new sphere was designed, and then forged, from solid titanium ingots, in two equal halves, at Ladish Forge, Cudahy, Wisconsin, and then the 15.5 tonnes of titanium was machined and assembled, utilizing five view ports (instead of the current three) and is designed for depths of over , where "Alvin"s constructed depth limit was . This, along with a general upgrade of support systems, instruments and materials, will allow "Alvin" to reach 98% of the ocean floor. After one last dive to assess damage to the Gulf of Mexico's seafloor after the "Deepwater Horizon" disaster, "Alvin" was refitted starting January 2011, with an expected return to the ocean in 2012 and full depth potential achieved in 2014.