The ambitious program of the United States Navy (U.S. Navy) to develop the new generation of Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines continues to move forward steadily, consolidating milestones that reinforce its role as a cornerstone of future U.S. maritime nuclear deterrence. The first unit, the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), has reached 65% completion, according to information released during the WEST 2026 naval conference in San Diego.
This milestone reflects the recovery of the industrial pace after accumulated delays and demonstrates the joint effort between the U.S. Navy, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and HII Newport News Shipbuilding, with the objective of delivering the first submarine in 2028, thereby ensuring the continuity of the maritime component of U.S. nuclear deterrence.
One of the decisive factors behind this improvement was the implementation of the so-called “A-26 acceleration plan,” executed over the past year. In this regard, Rear Admiral Todd Weeks, executive officer of the Strategic Submarines Program, explained that the plan aimed to gather and deliver the 26 modules that make up the District of Columbia’s hull to the final assembly shipyard in Groton. The arrival and consolidation of these modules enabled the transition from fragmented production to a full structural integration stage, considered by Weeks as the turning point that allowed the program to regain its industrial cadence.
Initial delays were mainly linked to the late delivery of critical sections, particularly the bow and stern manufactured by HII, as well as delays in the supply of turbines and generators from Northrop Grumman, which forced increased oversight and coordination across the supply chain. A symbolic example of industrial progress was the barge transport of the final bow section from Newport News to Electric Boat’s facilities, an operation that marked the transition toward the comprehensive hull assembly phase.
According to the current schedule, the closure of the pressure hull—one of the most significant technical milestones in the construction process—will take place in the coming months. This step involves the final joining of the internal sections forming the structure capable of withstanding submerged pressure, a prerequisite for watertightness and structural integrity testing. Once this process is completed, the submarine is expected to be floated out in 2027, beginning its integration and sea trials phase, with final delivery estimated for 2028 and its first operational patrol around 2030.
Formally initiated in 2022, the Columbia-class submarines represent the largest renewal of the U.S. strategic submarine component in more than forty years. Each unit will have an approximate displacement of 21,000 tons, will be equipped with 16 vertical launch tubes for Trident II D5LE missiles, and will feature a turboelectric propulsion system designed to reduce its acoustic signature. Its nuclear reactor, conceived to operate throughout the vessel’s entire service life—estimated at 42 years—eliminates the need for mid-life refueling, increasing operational availability and reducing maintenance costs.
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