General Dynamics Electric Boat has officially accepted a floating dry dock designed to support the construction of the US Navy’s Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The new facility, named “Atlas,” will be stationed at the company’s South Yard Assembly Building in Groton, Connecticut. This floating dry dock is set to facilitate the movement of vessels between different facilities for crucial testing and ceremonial activities, including significant events such as the submarines’ first contact with water.
Bollinger Shipyards, the developer of the Atlas, completed the christening of the mobile dock in October 2025. With impressive dimensions of 618 feet (188 meters) in length, 140 feet (43 meters) in width, and 90 feet (27 meters) in height, the Atlas is engineered to accommodate the production needs of the Columbia-class submarines.
Launched in 2020, the Columbia-class program aims to replace the aging Ohio-class submarines that have been in service since the 1980s. General Dynamics Electric Boat was awarded the prime contract for this significant endeavor, which includes plans for the construction of 12 hulls.
The lead submarine of this class, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826), along with its successor, the USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), are expected to be commissioned by 2031. In a significant boost to the program, General Dynamics received a substantial $2.28 billion contract in November 2025 to expedite the assembly of the next five Columbia-class vessels.
Once operational, the new fleet is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Washington D.C.’s nuclear deterrence strategy for the future. The introduction of the Atlas floating dry dock marks a crucial step in advancing this critical naval program, ensuring that the U.S. Navy maintains its strategic capabilities in modern nuclear warfare.
