As part of the temporary US budget, which runs until mid-November, $621 million has been allocated to begin construction of a second, next-generation Columbia-class strategic nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Report informs referring to the US Naval Institute.
The nuclear submarine USS Wisconsin (SSBN-827), which will be equipped with Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles, is scheduled to be laid down soon at the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Rhode Island.
The first Columbia-class submarine, District of Columbia (SSBN-826), laid down in June 2022, is currently under construction. Its value is estimated at $8.5 billion.
In total, the US plans to build 12 Columbia-class strategic submarines. They will replace the 14 obsolete Ohio-class strategic submarines currently in the US nuclear triad, each of which carries 20 Traident II D5 missiles.
The first Columbia-class strategic submarine is scheduled to go on combat patrol in 2031.
Each of the new generation submarines will carry 16 upgraded Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. Trident II D-5s form the backbone of the American nuclear triad, accounting for about 70% of the US strategic nuclear potential.
It is expected that six submarines will be stationed at the Pacific base of Bangor (Washington State) and another six at the Kings Bay (Georgia) base in the Atlantic. At least eight such submarines will be on combat patrol in the world's oceans at the same time. The rest will undergo routine maintenance at the bases.
The total cost of the Columbia-class submarine program in the coming years is estimated at $113 billion.
The Columbia-class strategic nuclear submarines being developed are designed for a 42-year service life. Construction will be carried out at the shipyards of General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding.
The US Navy emphasizes that the program to build new Columbia-class missile submarines is currently a priority for the US strategic nuclear forces.