Can the Columbia class be built on time? Can the Navy avoid further extending the service life of its current SSBNs? 1945 will be watching the Columbia-class program closely to make sure it comes in on time and does not leave the nation’s submarine-launched nuclear deterrent in jeopardy. That is why this contract modification is so important. This new platform will also have the capability to carry and support more than 66 Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) and insert them clandestinely into potential conflict areas. The 22 missile tubes also will provide the capability to carry other payloads, such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Special Forces equipment. The SSGNs will have the capability to support and launch up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, a significant increase in capacity compared to other platforms.

Four Ohio-class strategic missile submarines, USS Ohio (SSBN 726), USS Michigan (SSBN 727) USS Florida (SSBN 728), and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) have been selected for transformation into a new platform, designated SSGN. 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.”Ġ30814-N-0000X-003 Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash. 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.

Biggest sub