United States Navy plans to replace 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines with 12 Columbia-class boats
The United States Navy plans to replace the Ohio-class missile submarines with a more modern, modern class of boats. The new boats will start patrolling in 2031. They will be able to carry approximately 70% of the country's nuclear weapons. Since September 2013, the Navy has repeatedly stated that it plans to replace the Ohio class submarines with Columbia-class boats.
Current service includes 14 Ohio-class submarines. They have a service life of 42 year. They are expected to be replaced in a fraction of their original size. They were deployed in the 1980s as Ohio-class boats and will reach their end of service in 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 be bigger than Ohio-class boats
The Columbia class program aims at building 12 ballistic submarines to take the place of the Ohio-class boats. The US Navy views the program as a high priority. It will likely be completed in 2021. The new submarines will be bigger than current submarines, and they will be the largest US Navy submarines.
These new boats will have a greater submerged displacement than Ohio-class boats. These new boats will have more firepower, speed, and other advanced features. These boats are expected to last for at least 40 years, according to the Navy.
Virginia-class technologies will be used on boats
Technology from the Virginia-class attack submarine will be used to build the new Columbia-class submarines. They will be longer and heavier than the Virginia-class submarines but will have fewer nuclear weapons. The complex electric-drive propulsion system of the submarines is expected to be in use for at least 50 years. The Navy and Electric Boat leaders believe they have a sound plan and are using techniques that have been proven with the Virginia-class submarines.
Columbia-class submarines will use the same fly-by-wire joystick controller system and large aperture bow array sonar as those used for Virginia-class attack submarines. The advanced control system uses algorithms that maintain the ship's course, and sends signals to the rudder or stern to regulate its movements. The sonar technology detects underwater threats and analyzes their shape and size.
Boats can be built by GD/EB/HII/NNS
Until recently, the Columbia-class program was known as the Ohio Replacement Program, which was a reference to the Ohio-class submarines that the Navy is in the process of replacing. Columbia is the name of Columbia the 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.
New submarines will be more heavy than Ohio-class submarines. They will weigh in excess 23,000 tons and nearly triple the weight of early model Virginia-class SSNs. According to US Navy estimates, the US Navy will need new ballistic missile submarines by 2029. The Columbia-class program will be led by GD/EB, HII/NS and other design elements.