![]() ![]() 29, 2002 for conversion to SSGN at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. 14, 2003) - Illustration of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) which is undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation. ![]() Mike Gilday said, “This is a program with zero margin for delays.” Congress and the Navy are keeping an eagle-eyed watch over the process, and it also explains the substantial contract modification: A slip in the schedule could constrain the Navy’s ability to launch nuclear missiles. The Ohio-class boomers reach the end of their life cycles in 2027, so any delays in construction of the new submarines could be a major problem. The Columbia class will have a life-of-ship nuclear reactor, which means the reactor could be in service for at least 40 years, with only a brief midlife maintenance period. The vessels are planned to be 560 feet long, with a beam of 43 feet and 21,000 tons of displacement. The Columbia class will be massive – the biggest submarine the United States has ever built. The Columbia is the first of 12 subs, and it should begin patrolling in 2031. Research and development for the Columbia class has been underway for years. ![]() The USS Columbia is the first of its class, and work began on the boat in 2020. The boomers share certain components with British Dreadnought-class submarines, resulting in less money spent in developing the common missile compartment that will launch the 7,500-mile-range Trident II D5s. Nearly all of the work will be conducted at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and it is set for completion by 2029. Navy and British Royal Navy’s intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missiles. General Dynamics Electric Boat also wants to use this funding to help procure United Kingdom Strategic Weapon Support System kits for the Trident II D5 – the latest iteration of the U.S. Each vessel will cost $7.5 billion, so every dollar earmarked for the program is welcome. The Columbia class will eventually replace the Ohio-class submarines, which will be taken out of service by 2030. Additional funding of $313.9 million was recently allocated to support the construction and development of the Columbia-class submarines. The so-called boomer subs are one of the Navy’s top acquisition priorities. Navy is willing to invest into its new Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines. A new contract modification shows just how much the U.S. ![]()
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