GAO Report on Columbia-class Submarine Program

The following is the January Government Accountability Office report, Columbia-class Program Lacks Essential Schedule Insight amid Continuing Construction Challenges.

From the report

What GAO Found 

The Navy plans to deliver the first, or lead, Columbia class submarine—the largest and most complex submarine in its history—more quickly than it did for the lead submarines of prior classes, such as the Virginia class program. But the shipbuilder has not conducted a schedule risk analysis of the lead...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/25/gao-report-on-columbia-class-submarine-program

Keel Laid For Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine District of Columbia

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) approves the welding of her initials onto a metal plate at a ceremony at the General Dynamics Electric Boat Facility at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, on June 4, 2022. EB Photo

After inspecting the engraved plate with her welded initials, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) declared the keel laid for the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826).

The ceremony marks the ceremonial construction start of the first in a new class of ballistic missile submarine that’s...

https://news.usni.org/2022/06/04/keel-laid-for-nuclear-ballistic-missile-submarine-district-of-columbia

VIDEO: Attack Submarine USS Oregon Commissions in Connecticut

Crewmembers attached to the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Oregon (SSN-793) man the ship during a commissioning ceremony in Groton, Conn., on May 28, 2022. US Navy Photo

The second Virginia-class Block IV nuclear attack submarine commissioned in Connecticut on Saturday.

USS Oregon (SSN-793) ceremonially joined the fleet in a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London after delivering to the Navy in February – five years after the keel was laid in 2017.

“The passion, grit and enthusiasm...

https://news.usni.org/2022/05/30/video-attack-submarine-uss-oregon-commissions-in-connecticut

First Columbia Ballistic Missile Submarine Begins to Take Shape

The future USS Oregon (SSN-793) pier side at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard on Feb. 28, 2022. USNI News Photo

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – The backbone of the Navy’s next nuclear ballistic missile submarine is starting to take shape in a series of understated white buildings on the edge of Narragansett Bay.

Building-sized sections of the future USS Columbia (SSBN-826) have been under construction at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility at Quonset Point, under cover from the Rhode...

Report to Congress on Columbia-class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program

The following is the May 12, 2021 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

The Navy’s Columbia (SSBN-826) class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new SSBNs to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy procured...

https://news.usni.org/2021/05/19/report-to-congress-on-columbia-class-ballistic-missile-submarine-program

GAO: Design Delays on Columbia Sub Program Leading to Construction Delays, Cost Increases

Artist’s rendering of the Columbia-class SSBN submarine. US Navy Image

The Government Accountability Office released a new report that warns Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine cost and schedule plans are at risk due to problems with a new digital design tool and cascading effects stemming from the design challenges.

The report – Columbia Class Submarine: Delivery Hinges on Timely and Quality Materials from an Atrophied Supplier Base – explains that Columbia program prime contractor...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/14/gao-design-delays-on-columbia-sub-program-leading-to-construction-delays-cost-increases

Navy Awards $9.47B Contract For First Columbia-Class SSBN, Advance Work On Second Boat

Artist’s rendering of the Columbia-class SSBN submarine. US Navy Image

This post has been updated to include additional comments on the contract award.

The Navy today awarded a $9.47 billion contract modification to General Dynamics Electric Boat to officially start construction on the first ballistic-missile submarine in the Columbia class of SSBNs.

Today’s award covers the construction of the first ship, the future Columbia (SSBN-826), as well as continued advanced construction activities on the...

https://news.usni.org/2020/11/05/navy-awards-9-47b-contract-for-first-columbia-class-ssbn-advance-work-on-second-boat

Navy, Electric Boat Agree on $9.5B Contract Option for First 2 Columbia Subs

Artist’s rendering of the Columbia-class SSBN submarine. US Navy Image

The Navy and its lead builder for a new class of ballistic-missile submarines have hammered out their path forward for how to fully fund the first two boats, the head of Navy procurement told reporters on Monday.

The agreement, pending Department of Defense and congressional approval, lays out a cost and incentive schedule for the full-rate construction contract options for $9.5 billion for first two Columbia-class (SSBN-826)...

https://news.usni.org/2020/06/22/navy-electric-boat-agree-on-9-5b-contract-option-for-first-2-columbia-subs

Report Columbia-class Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Program

The following is the Feb. 26, 2020 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Columbia (SSBN-826) Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress.

From the report

The Columbia (SSBN-826) class program is a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy wants to procure...

https://news.usni.org/2020/05/19/report-columbia-class-nuclear-ballistic-missile-submarine-program

First Nuclear Deterrence Patrol Marks Major Step for Indian Submarine Force

INS Arihant. Indian Navy Photo

When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced earlier this month that the Indian Navy had completed its first sea-based nuclear deterrent patrol it was more of a statement of intent than a demonstration of a new capability.

The Indian Navy’s new ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) INS Arihant was the boomer that completed the month-long deterrent patrol. Whilst this is not insignificant – it is the first country outside of the five members of the U.N. Security...

https://news.usni.org/2018/11/12/first-nuclear-deterrence-patrol-marks-major-step-indian-submarine-force

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