Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:38:28-2:38:59

A Columbia-based SSGN competes with the SSBN schedule

A Columbia-derived guided-missile submarine could restore useful strike capacity, but it must fit around the ballistic-missile-submarine construction program.

Ballistic Missile SubmarinesColumbia Class SubmarinesGuided Missile SubmarinesNaval ProcurementSubmarinesUS Navy
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Question

Will the US Navy build a Columbia-class SSGN after the ballistic-missile submarines?

Short answer

Current plans favor enlarged SSNs, but a small Columbia-derived SSGN group would be useful if extra SSBNs can be added without disrupting the deterrent build schedule.

Notes

The stated US path favors enlarged attack submarines rather than a new SSGN generation. A Columbia conversion could still provide several useful guided-missile hulls, with replacement SSBNs added at the end of the run. The attraction is a large conventional strike magazine built from an established hull family. The constraint is schedule: strategic-deterrent construction cannot be casually delayed for the conversion.