U.S. Navy Columbia-Class Submarine Program
Background and Issues for Congress
The Navy’s Columbia class ballistic missile submarine program aims to design and build a class of 12 new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. Since 2013, the Navy has consistently identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021 and the second in FY2024. The Navy’s FY2026 budget submission requests the procurement of the third boat in the class, authority to use three-year incremental funding for procuring each of the remaining 10 boats in the program, and authority for using…
