The Columbia-class submarine is the U.S. Navy's future sea-based strategic-deterrent SSBN class, designed to replace Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. Navy sources describe it as a 12-ship fleet with Trident II D5LE armament, 16 missile tubes, electric-drive propulsion, and service planned into the 2080s.
The named early boats show how the class is moving from lead-ship construction into a multi-hull program.
| Boat | Hull | Program status |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | SSBN 826 | Lead boat; keel laid at General Dynamics Electric Boat's Quonset Point facility on June 4, 2022. |
| Wisconsin | SSBN 827 | Second boat; Navy reporting says the keel was authenticated during an August 27, 2025 ceremony. |
| Groton | SSBN 828 | Third named Columbia-class submarine, announced by the Secretary of the Navy on January 13, 2025. |
The Columbia class is planned as the next U.S. Trident launch platform, beginning with D5LE missiles before the D5LE2 transition.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Submarine-launched ballistic missile | The U.S. Navy lists Trident II D5 (LE) and 16 missile tubes as Columbia-class armament. Navy Trident material says D5LE missiles will initially be carried aboard Columbia-class submarines, while Strategic Systems Programs describes the later D5LE2 transition. Sources: Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines - SSBN, Trident II D5 Missile Fact File, SSP Trident II D5LE2 Development |
Navy fact-file data lists Mk48 torpedoes alongside the Columbia class's strategic missile armament.
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Submarine-launched heavyweight torpedo | The U.S. Navy identifies Mk48 torpedoes as part of the Columbia-class armament fit, and its MK 48 fact file describes the torpedo as a heavyweight anti-submarine and anti-surface weapon used by all U.S. submarine classes. Sources: Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines - SSBN, MK 48 Heavyweight Torpedo Fact File |
The Columbia class is the U.S. successor to the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine force. Navy material frames the class around strategic-deterrent recapitalization, Trident II D5LE carriage, and a later D5LE2 transition rather than conventional combat employment.
A planned 12-boat Columbia fleet replaces 14 Ohio SSBNs as those boats age out of service.
The Navy fact file says Columbia must be patrol-ready no later than October 2030 to meet U.S. Strategic Command requirements.
Strategic Systems Programs ties Columbia and the UK's Dreadnought-class submarine to a Common Missile Compartment for Trident II D5, D5LE, and D5LE2 weapons-system support.
The Navy announced a $9.5 billion award to General Dynamics Electric Boat to construct and test SSBN 826 and SSBN 827.
Sources: Navy Starting Construction on Columbia Class
The Secretary of the Navy announced that SSBN 826 would be officially named USS District of Columbia to avoid a name conflict with USS Columbia (SSN 771).
Sources: SECNAV Names SSBN 826 USS District of Columbia
General Dynamics Electric Boat held the keel-laying ceremony for USS District of Columbia, the lead Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine, at Quonset Point.
Sources: District of Columbia Keel Laying
The Secretary of the Navy announced that SSBN 828, the third named Columbia-class submarine, would be USS Groton.
Sources: SECNAV Names USS Groton
The Navy reported the keel authentication for future USS Wisconsin, the second Columbia-class submarine, at Electric Boat's Quonset Point facility.
Sources: Wisconsin Keel Authentication
GAO acquisition reviews frame Columbia as a high-priority deterrent program whose schedule matters because the lead submarine must support the Ohio-class transition.
GAO described the plan as a 12-submarine acquisition program valued at about $130 billion.
In 2024, GAO reported Navy estimates that the lead boat could deliver 12 to 16 months later than originally planned.
GAO said a late delivery could put the lead submarine's planned 2030 operational availability at risk.
