United States Navy plans replacement of 14 Ohio-class ballistic submarines by 12 Columbian-class boats
The United States Navy will replace the Ohio-class ballistic submarine submarines with a newer, more modern type of boat. These new boats are planned to start patrolling in 2031. They will be able to carry approximately 70% of the country's nuclear weapons. Since September 2013, the Navy has consistently said it wants to replace the Ohio-class submarines with the Columbia-class boats.
At the moment, 14 Ohio-class submarines are in US Navy service. They have an expected service life of 42 years. They will only be replaced if their size is less than half. They were deployed in the 1980s as Ohio-class boats and will reach their end of service in the late 2020s. The replacement program was initially delayed by two years, but the Navy has now declared it to be its top priority and hopes to procure at least two more boats by the year 2024.
Boats will look larger than Ohio-class ones
The Columbia class program aims at building 12 ballistic submarines to take the place of the Ohio-class boats. The US Navy regards the Columbia-class program as a high priority and it is expected to be completed by 2021. These new submarines will be larger than the current ones and will be the largest ever built by the US Navy.
The new boats will also have a larger submerged displacement than the Ohio-class boats. These new boats will be faster and more powerful than the Ohio-class boats. These boats should last at most 40 years, according the Navy.
Virginia-class technology will be utilized by vessels
The new Columbia-class submarines will use technologies from the Virginia-class attack submarine. They will be shorter and heavier than Virginia-class submarines. However, they will carry fewer nuclear weapons. Their complex electric-drive propulsion system is designed to remain relevant for 50 years or more. Leaders from the Navy and Electric Boat think they have a solid plan. They are also using proven techniques with the Virginia-class subs.
Columbia-class subs will also be using the fly-by wire joystick control system as well as large-aperture, bow array sonar. These systems were first applied to Virginia-class attack submarines. The advanced control system uses algorithms that maintain the ship's course, and sends signals to the rudder or stern to regulate its movements. The sonar technology detects underwater threats and analyzes their shape and size.
Boats can be built by GD/EB/HII/NNS
The Columbia-class program used to be known as the Ohio Replacement Program until recently. This was in reference to the Ohio class submarines that are being replaced by the Navy. Columbia is the name of Columbia's first Columbia-class vessel. The first boat of this class will arrive in October 2027, followed by the second in October 2030 and the third in July 2032. The fourth in July 2033.
The new submarines will be heavier than Ohio-class submarines and will weigh in excess of 23,000 tons, nearly triple the weight of early-model Virginia-class SSNs. A new class of ballistic-missile submarines will be required by the US Navy by 2029. The Columbia-class programme will be led by GD/EB as well as HII/NS.