Ohio Replacement

The SSBN New Design program element (PE 0603595N) is a critical component of the Navy's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, supporting the development and modernization of the next-generation U.S. ballistic missile submarine, the COLUMBIA Class. The overarching goal is to ensure the continued effectiveness of the sea-based strategic deterrent by advancing submarine hull, mechanical, electrical, and combat systems technologies. This program element provides funding for design, systems engineering, prototyping, and vendor qualification activities, with a particular focus on the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) and whole ship design. The program also facilitates the transition of technologies from Science and Technology (S&T), DARPA, Independent Research and Development, and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects into operational submarine platforms.

The largest line item within the SSBN New Design program is focused on COLUMBIA Class Submarine Development. Its primary objective is to design, prepare for, and support the construction and delivery of the COLUMBIA Class, which will replace the aging OHIO Class SSBNs. This project includes the design and development of the missile compartment, launch systems, and Strategic Weapons Support Systems (SWSS), with ongoing cooperation with the United Kingdom to maintain a common CMC for both U.S. and UK SSBN programs. Key activities include concept definition, detailed design, engineering integration, and technology maturation to ensure operational effectiveness and affordability. The project also supports lead ship construction, component development, logistics product completion, and risk mitigation through technical studies and prototyping. Efforts are coordinated across Navy laboratories, shipyards, private industry, and University Affiliated Research Centers.

Another focus area is SBSD Obsolescence, which sustains and upgrades Non-Propulsion Electronic Systems (NPES) throughout the COLUMBIA Class construction program. The goal is to ensure that specification-compliant components are available for procurement as fleet common subsystems, addressing issues such as component obsolescence, supplier changes, performance improvements, and reliability enhancements. This project involves non-recurring engineering activities for platform integration, software modification, and qualification of components for the unique submarine environment. Planned efforts include validation and verification of NPES systems, software defect resolution, and integration testing to maintain the strategic deterrence mission over the class life cycle.

The SBSD Technology Refresh supports ship system development, coordination, and management for the COLUMBIA Class Technology Insertion and Technology Refresh Programs. Objectives include efficiently upgrading performance across all hulls by improving hull, mechanical, and electrical (HM&E) systems, and managing technical refresh plans for systems reliant on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology with short product life cycles. The project also mitigates obsolescence issues for HM&E components and supports testing to inform design changes for later ships. Activities include supplier base development, software sustainment planning, technical refresh design, and system integration. Testing and modeling efforts are aimed at maintaining technical performance and materiel readiness for the SBSD mission.

Congressional Adds provide targeted funding for advanced composite shaft design and shipyard/ship repair workforce training. The advanced composite shaft design initiative aims to mature manufacturing approaches for submarine shafting systems, including material testing, prototype manufacturing, and enabling full-scale production. The workforce training initiative focuses on developing a comprehensive pipeline to support the maritime industrial base, particularly in Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific region, in alignment with federal directives to revitalize skilled trades and enhance national security readiness. These congressional adds address specific needs identified by lawmakers and supplement the core RDT&E efforts.

Across all projects, the SSBN New Design program emphasizes risk reduction, affordability, and lifecycle support. Design and engineering efforts leverage lessons learned from previous submarine programs, such as the VIRGINIA Class, and employ alternative procurement and contracting strategies to optimize costs. Technology development is closely integrated with test and evaluation activities, including shock testing, signature modeling, and system integration trials, to validate performance and inform future design improvements. The program also prioritizes cybersecurity, reliability, and operational effectiveness to ensure the COLUMBIA Class SSBNs remain viable through the 2080s.