United States Navy intends to replace 14 Ohio class ballistic missile submarines with 12 Columbia-class boats
The United States Navy is replacing the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines with a new, more modern class of boats. These new boats will begin patrolling in 2031. These boats will be equipped with 70 percent of the nation's nuclear arsenal. Since September 2013, Navy officials have consistently stated their desire to replace Ohio-class submarines with Columbia class boats.
Currently, the US Navy has 14 Ohio-class submarines in service. They have a service life of 42 year. They are expected to be replaced in a fraction of their original size. The Ohio-class boats, which were first deployed in 1982, are expected to be retired by the late 2020s. Although the replacement program was delayed for two years initially, the Navy now considers it to be a top priority and plans to purchase at least two additional boats by 2024.
Boats will look larger than Ohio-class ones
The Columbia-class program will build 12 ballistic-missile submarines to replace the existing Ohio-class boats. The US Navy has designated the program a high priority. It is expected that it will be completed in 2021. The new submarines are expected to be larger than existing submarines and the US Navy's largest.
Also, the new boats will have a higher submerged displacement that the Ohio-class boats. These boats will be more efficient in speed and firepower. The Navy expects these boats to last 40 years or more.
Boats will use Virginia-class technologies
Technology from the Virginia-class attack submarine will be used to build the new Columbia-class submarines. 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 in Navy and Electric Boat both believe they have a sound strategy and are using techniques that have been tested with the Virginia class submarines.
Columbia-class submarines will also use the fly-by-wire joystick control system and large-aperture bow array sonar that were first used on Virginia-class attack submarines. This advanced control system uses algorithms to maintain a ship's course and sends a signal to the rudder and stern to control its movement. Sonar technology detects and analyses underwater threats.
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, the first Columbia-class boat. The first boat in the class will be delivered in Oct 2027, while the second will be delivered in October 2030. The third will arrive in July 2032 and the fourth in August 2033.
The new submarines, which will be nearly three times as heavy as the early-model Virginia SSNs, will be significantly heavier than Ohio's-class submarines. According to US Navy estimates, the US Navy will need new ballistic missile submarines by 2029. Major design contributors to Columbia-class will be GD/EB (NS) and HII/NS.