COLUMBIA Class Submarine

The COLUMBIA Class Submarine Program is the U.S. Navy's primary initiative to design, construct, and deliver the next generation of fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), replacing the aging OHIO Class beginning in 2027. The program's overarching goal is to maintain a survivable sea-based strategic nuclear deterrent, ensuring the United States and its allies are protected against nuclear threats. The Columbia Class is an Acquisition Category I Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP), with the mission to perform extended strategic deterrent patrols independently, equipped to launch ballistic missiles if deterrence fails. The FY 2026 budget request supports the third ship (SSBN 828) and ongoing design, procurement, and construction activities.

The Integrated Enterprise Plan (IEP) and Supplier Development initiatives are central to the program's objectives, focusing on strengthening the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) to support the increased demand for submarine construction. The FY 2026 budget includes investments targeting supplier development, shipbuilder and supplier infrastructure, workforce development, technology opportunities, and strategic outsourcing. These investments are designed to achieve a 1+2 production cadence one Columbia and two Virginia Class submarines per year by expanding facilities, increasing supplier capacity, and developing new manufacturing technologies. Funding also supports Congressional priorities for explosion welding and tube/propulsor facilitization, reflecting ongoing efforts to address industrial base bottlenecks and workforce challenges.

The Advance Procurement (AP) and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) funding lines are structured to mitigate schedule risk and ensure timely delivery of critical components. AP funds are allocated for long-lead material procurement, missile tube continuous production and outfitting, advance construction, and shipyard manufactured items. EOQ funding enables bulk buys of strategic components, reducing costs and obsolescence risks while supporting multi-program procurement across Columbia, Virginia, and Carrier programs. The AP and EOQ profiles are aligned with updated cost estimates and contract negotiations, ensuring material availability and production stability for compressed shipbuilding schedules.

The Basic Construction and Shipyard Manufactured Items lines cover the procurement and fabrication of major ship components, including hull, mechanical, and electrical systems, nuclear propulsion plant equipment, and ordnance such as Strategic Weapons System shipboard systems. Continuous production of items such as propulsors, missile tubes, and navigation subsystems maintains critical manufacturing skills, avoids production restarts, and supports schedule acceleration. Funding also supports advance construction activities in key structural areas to gain schedule margin and reduce controlling path risks, enabling parallel module fabrication and early outfitting.

The Electronics and Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) Systems procurement supports the outfitting of the Non-Propulsion Electronics System (NPES), which includes sonar, combat control, crew information technology, electronic warfare, photonics, universal modular masts, and exterior communications. These systems are essential for navigation, threat detection, secure communications, and crew operations. Funding covers hardware, software, engineering services, and integration activities, with contracts awarded to prime vendors. The electronics procurement also leverages EOQ for common components across submarine classes, improving cost efficiency and schedule reliability.

The Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Shipboard Systems line funds the procurement of launcher, fire control, and navigation subsystems required to prepare, launch, and deliver Trident II (D5) missiles. AP and EOQ funding ensure timely acquisition of long-lead components, mitigate obsolescence, and maintain system homogeneity across hulls. Continuous production of SWS navigation and launcher subsystems supports consistent performance and reduces schedule risk. These efforts are coordinated with ongoing life extension programs for the Trident missile, ensuring compatibility and survivability throughout the Columbia Class lifecycle.