Columbia-class submarine (artist's concept). (Photo : US Navy)
The new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program has officially started with the passing of the critical "Milestone B decision review." It now moves into detail design.
The purpose of Milestone B is to make a recommendation or seek approval to enter the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase.
These SSBNs should cost about $8 billion each but the lead ship in the class, the USS Ohio, should cost $10.4 billion. Included in this larger sum is a $4.2 billion for detail design and non-recurring engineering work and $6.2 billion for ship construction.
The $8 billion per boat figure spreads the design and engineering cost evenly across the 12 boats in the class instead of consolidating it in the cost of the lead ship.
Formerly known as the Ohio Replacement Submarine, the Columbia-class is designed to replace the Trident missile-armed Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines that first entered U.S. Navy service in 1981. The navy plans on having 12 Columbia-class subs, which will form the sea-based leg of the United States' strategic nuclear defense triad.
The aging Ohio subs are scheduled to be decommissioned starting 2027. The boats are to be decommissioned yearly following the first boat's decommissioning. The navy has 14 operational Ohio-class SSBNs.
The first submarine of the Columbia-class is scheduled to begin construction in 2021 and enter service in 2031. This new class is expected to serve until 2085.
The Columbia-class will be armed with 16 UGM-133A Trident II, or Trident D5, submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). The warheads on this SLBM can consist of 8 to 12 thermonuclear MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle); Maneuverable Re-entry Vehicle (MARV) or W88 or W76 thermonuclear weapons.
General Dynamics Electric Boat was chosen as the prime contractor and lead design yard for the Columbia-class. Electric Boat will carry out the majority of the work, on all 12 submarines, including final assembly.
