Newport News Shipbuilding is a major shipbuilding partner in the Columbia-class program, constructing and delivering six module sections per submarine under contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) to support the Navy’s plan to replace the aging Ohio-class.
The new submarines will make up one leg of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent triad. The 561-foot-long submarines will include a new life-of-ship reactor, an electric drive propulsion system and field 16 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.
Building on the success of the Virginia-class submarine program, NNS is participating in the construction of 12 Columbia-class submarines with EB as the prime contractor. NNS is manufacturing major Columbia-class assemblies and modules, including the bow, stern, auxiliary machinery room, superstructure and weapons modules.