In a significant development for the US Navy, General Dynamics has officially laid the keel for the second Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine in a ceremony held in Kingstown, Rhode Island. This moment marks the commencement of construction for what will eventually replace the aging Ohio-class submarines, which have been in operational service since the 1980s.
Designated as the USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), this vessel is projected to enter service in the 2030s. The Wisconsin will hold the distinction of being the third naval vessel named after the state of Wisconsin, joining the ranks of an Illinois-class and an Iowa-class battleship that previously participated in Pacific operations.
While the Navy has yet to confirm its home port for the Wisconsin, reports suggest it will likely operate from the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia. This base is known for housing the majority of the fleet’s nuclear-capable submarines.
During the keel-laying ceremony, Adm. William Houston, who oversees the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, emphasized the Navy’s unwavering commitment to maritime capabilities and innovation. He stated, “Our ballistic missile submarines are the most survivable leg of our nation’s nuclear triad; they are the ultimate guarantee that no adversary will ever miscalculate America’s resolve.”
Houston elaborated on the integral role of the Wisconsin, saying, “From this keel, the Wisconsin will rise – an intricate structure of power, precision, and purpose. And just as the keel bears the weight of the ship, this vessel bears the weight of our nation’s most solemn responsibility: to deter war and preserve peace through strength.”
The Department of Defense is currently focused on developing three hulls for the Columbia-class program, with plans to produce up to 12 submarines in total. General Dynamics began its journey with an initial contract in 2017 to establish the requirements for this program. Three years later, the company received a substantial modification worth nearly $10 billion to finance the full construction of the lead submarine, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826), while also initiating work on the Wisconsin.
The Columbia-class submarines are designed to measure 560 feet (171 meters) in length and have a beam of 43 feet (13 meters). Equipped with an S1B nuclear reactor for propulsion and power, these vessels will feature a more advanced sensory suite compared to existing Virginia-class attack submarines. In terms of armament, the Wisconsin will be outfitted with torpedoes and UGM-133 Trident II underwater-launched ballistic missiles, confirming its essential role in bolstering the sea-based component of the Pentagon’s nuclear triad.
With the capacity to accommodate 115 crew members, the Wisconsin is capable of exceeding speeds of 20 knots (23 miles/37 kilometers per hour), reinforcing the Navy’s ongoing strategy to enhance maritime security and deterrence capabilities.
