United States Navy plans replace 14 Ohio-class missile submarines by 12 Columbia-class vessels
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 have about 70% of the country’s nuke arsenal. Since September 2013, Navy officials have consistently stated their desire to replace Ohio-class submarines with Columbia class boats.
The US Navy currently has 14 Ohio-class submarines in service. Their expected service life is 42 years. They will be replaced by a smaller version of their size when they retire. They were deployed in the 1980s as Ohio-class boats and will reach their end of service in the late 2020s. The Navy delayed the replacement program for two years. However, it now declares it its top priority. It hopes to procure at most two more boats by 2024.
Boats will have a larger volume than Ohio-class boat
The Columbia-class program plans to build 12 missile-launch submarines as replacements for the Ohio-class boats. The US Navy has designated the program a high priority. It is expected that it will be completed in 2021. These new submarines will be larger than the current ones and will be the largest ever built by the US Navy.
Also, the new boats will have a higher submerged displacement that the Ohio-class boats. These boats will be faster, more powerful, and have other advanced features. These boats will be able to last up to 40 years, as per the Navy.
Virginia-class technologies will be used on boats
The Virginia-class attack submarine technology will be used for the Columbia-class subs. They will be larger and heavier than the Virginia class submarines but have fewer nukes. 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 submarines also will have the flyby-wire joystick and large-aperture array sonar systems that were first employed on Virginia-class attack submarines. This sophisticated control system uses algorithms for maintaining a ship’s course and sending a signal to its stern and rudder in order to control its movement. Sonar technology detects and analyses underwater threats.
Boats will be constructed by GD/EB or HII/NNS
The Columbia-class program was previously known as the Ohio Replacement Program. This was a reference the Ohio-class submarines that the Navy is currently replacing. Columbia is the name of the first Columbia class boat. The first boat in this class will be delivered in October 2027, the second in October 2030, the third in July 2032, and 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. The US Navy will require a new class ballistic missile submarine by 2029, according to estimates. The Columbia-class programme will be led by GD/EB as well as HII/NS.