General Dynamics Electric Boat conducted a keel laying ceremony for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, June 4.

Keel laying is an event in which the initials of the boat’s sponsor are welded onto a plate attached to the submarine, signifying a major milestone in the construction of a boat.

District of Columbia is the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine being constructed in the minimum 12-ship class, which will replace the existing 14 Ohio-class nuclear-ballistic submarine force due to begin retiring from service in 2027.

Admiral Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, highlighted the significance of ballistic missile submarines as the most survivable leg of the U.S. military’s nuclear triad.

«As every ballistic-missile submarine has since the keel laying of USS George Washington (SSBN-598) here at Electric Boat in November 1958 – the District of Columbia, and all those in its class will continue to serve as the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad – standing constant watch far beneath the waves, as we have done for over 63 years – a stalwart deterrent against those who would seek to do the unspeakable», said Caudle.

Caudle also spoke on the keel laying of District of Columbia as a historic occasion in ensuring American’s freedom and way of life for the foreseeable future.

«Laying the keel of the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) truly is a historic occasion – not only for the countless designers, welders, metal workers, electricians, and master craftsmen whose unmatched expertise, ingenuity, hard work, and dedication will bring this modern marvel to life – but for the future Sailors who will prowl the deep inside her hull, protecting our nation, deterring strategic attacks, and ensuring our freedom and way of life for decades to come», said Caudle.

Secretary of the U.S. Navy Carlos Del Toro, the event’s principal speaker, echoed Caudle’s sentiment on the importance of the Columbia-class being the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. as an insurance policy.

«As Admiral Caudle detailed, the Columbia class will be the cornerstone of our strategic deterrence, the ultimate guarantor of our National Security», said Del Toro. «Our strategic submarines represent approximately 70 percent of America’s deployed nuclear arsenal».

Del Toro continued to speak on the need to modernize our Submarine Force to ensure the safety and security of the world.

«Potential adversaries know the silent service is on patrol at this very moment, but they don’t know where and that protects us all», said Del Toro. «The venerable Ohio-class that has guarded us for decades is nearing the end of its service life. For the safety of our Sailors, and the security of our world, we must modernize our fleet, and our nuclear command, control, and communications systems».

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the boat’s sponsor and the delegate to the House of Representatives from the ship’s name, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), attended the ceremony. Her initials were welded onto a plate by Electric Boat welder Maria Betance-Pizarro. «As a third-generation Washingtonian, I am excited and honored to be the sponsor of the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)», said Norton. «I look forward to meeting and establishing relationships with the men and women who will serve aboard her».

The U.S. Navy, alongside Electric Boat, began the conceptual designs for Columbia in 2007 as a replacement for the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines. The Columbia-class will carry 16 missiles each, which in total represents approximately 70 percent of the U.S. nuclear triad.

The Columbia-class remains the U.S. Navy’s number one acquisition priority and is scheduled to see its first delivery in 2027. The transition from the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to the new Columbia-class will ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.

At a length of 560 feet/170.7 m and displacing 20,810 long tons/metric tons 21,144, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) will be the largest submarine ever built by the U.S. Its reactor will not require refueling during the lifetime of planned service making the ship more cost-effective to operate and maximizing its time in deployment. In addition to its complement of missiles, the submarine will be armed with Mk-48 torpedoes and will feature superior acoustic performance and state-of-the-art sensors to make it the most capable and quiet submarine ever built.

The Submarine Force executes the Department of the U.S. Navy’s mission in and from the undersea domain. In addition to lending added capacity to naval forces, the Submarine Force, in particular, is expected to leverage those special advantages that come with undersea concealment to permit operational, deterrent and combat effects that the Navy and the nation could not otherwise achieve.

The Submarine Force and supporting organizations constitute the primary undersea arm of the U.S. Navy. Submarines and their crews remain the tip of the undersea spear.

 

Ship statistics

Type	Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)
Displacement (submerged)	20,810 long tons/metric tons 21,144
Length	560 feet/170.7 m
Hull Diameter	43 feet/13.1 m
Speed	20+ knots/23+ mph/37 km/h
Diving Depth	800+ feet/244+ m
Range	Unlimited
Complement	155 (accommodation)
Propulsion	Nuclear, Electric Drive
Missile Tubes	16
Weapons System	Trident II D5 (LE)

 

Nuclear Submarine Lineup

Name	Laid down	Christened	Commissioned	Homeport
USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)	06-04-2022
USS Wisconsin SSBN-827
SSBN-828
SSBN-829
SSBN-830
SSBN-831
SSBN-832
SSBN-833
SSBN-834
SSBN-835
SSBN-836
SSBN-837