Rear Adm. John Tammen

Navy, Experts Make Case For More Than 12 Columbia-Class Boomers

An undated artist’s rendering of the planned Columbia-class submarine. Naval Sea Systems Command Image

To maintain a credible nuclear threat, the U.S. needs at least 12 Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, says the Navy’s director of undersea warfare.

The first Columbia-class SSBN submarine is not expected to join the fleet until 2027, but Navy officials and analysts are already making the case to extend the program of record beyond what is currently envisioned to be a fleet of 12 SSBNs.

“I...

https://news.usni.org/2019/02/28/41445

Navy Wants to Use Virginia Payload Module to Deploy New Missiles, UUVs

Harpoon fired from USS Olympia on July 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

ARLINGTON, Va. – The undersea warfare community wants to boost attack sub lethality by providing new payloads for the Virginia-class SSNs, especially ones that can be leveraged through the Virginia Payload Module missile tubes that will be added to new-construction boats beginning this year.

Program Executive Office for Submarines Executive Director George Drakeley said at the two-day annual Naval Submarine League symposium last week...

https://news.usni.org/2018/11/14/navy-looking-use-virginia-payload-module-deploy-new-missiles-uuvs