The Revolutionary Columbia-Class Submarine
The Columbia-class program's goal is to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. The Ohio-class submarines were designed to have a service life of 42 years (two 20-year cycles with a 2-year midlife nuclear refueling period). As the Ohio-class SSBNs were first deployed in 1981, they will start reaching the end of their service between 2027 and 2040, at a rate of about one boat per year. Starting in 2031, the Navy plans to replace each retiring Ohio-class boat with a new Columbia-class SSBN submarine.

The Navy has identified the Columbia-class program as its top priority program, and procured the first Columbia-class boat in 2021. As the Navy’s top priority, the Columbia-class program will remain funded even at the expense of funding other Navy programs.

The Columbia-Class Submarine will be larger than the Ohio-class design in terms of submerged displacement, and therefore will be the largest submarine ever built by the United States. The Navy has also planned the Columbia-class to be fitted with the most "up-to-date capabilities and stealth" to ensure they are survivable throughout their full 40-year life span.

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