Columbia-class Submarine

The Columbia-class SSBN is the replacement for the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine fleet and carries 16 Trident II D5LE missiles as the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. The class uses a life-of-ship reactor core, requiring no midlife refueling overhaul.

Lead ship USS District of Columbia began construction in 2020–21 at GD Electric Boat with Newport News as teaming partner. Initial operational patrol is scheduled for the early 2030s; a total of 12 boats are planned.

Columbia is the Navy's top-priority acquisition program and is sized to carry roughly 70 percent of the U.S. nuclear warheads in the field once Ohio retirements complete.

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