USS District of Columbia

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USS District of Columbia
Columbia-class submarine, NAVSEA concept.png
Graphic artist concept (2012)
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameDistrict of Columbia
Namesake District of Columbia
Builder General Dynamics Electric Boat
Laid down4 June 2022
Sponsored by Eleanor Holmes Norton and Muriel Bowser [1]
StatusUnder construction
General characteristics
Class and type Columbia-class submarine
Displacement20,810 long tons (21,140 t) (submerged)
Length171 metres (561 ft)
Beam13 metres (43 ft)
PropulsionTurbo-electric drive, pump-jet
RangeUnlimited
Complement155
Armament16 × Trident D5

USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) will be the lead boat of the United States Navy's Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and the Navy's first vessel to be named for the District of Columbia.

Contents

On 25 July 2016, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that the new submarine would be named USS Columbia. [2] The Navy already had a USS Columbia (SSN-771), an attack submarine commissioned in 1995, which was expected to retire before the missile submarine was commissioned. But after the Navy decided to prolong the attack sub's service, the new submarine's name was changed to avoid having two active vessels with the same name. [3] On 3 June 2022, the Navy announced that the new submarine would be named USS District of Columbia. [1]

In 2021, construction began on District of Columbia at General Dynamics' Electric Boat facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. [4] A keel laying ceremony was held at the shipyard on 4 June 2022. [1] Completion of District of Columbia is scheduled for 2030, followed by her entry into service in 2031.

USS District of Columbia has been assigned to Submarine Squadron 16. [5]

Mission

The 12 ballistic missile submarines of the Columbia class will perform deterrent patrols, the naval leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. They will replace the Ohio class, whose submarines are to be decommissioned, one per year, beginning in 2027. [6] District of Columbia will replace an as-yet-unannounced Ohio.

Design specification and parameters

In April 2014, the Navy completed a 300-page specification report for the Ohio Replacement Program submarines. There are 159 specifications including weapons, escape routes, fluid systems, hatches, doors, sea water systems, and a set length of 560 ft (170 m) (later confirmed in design specifications), partly to allow for sufficient volume inside the pressure hull. [7]

Electric Boat designed the new class with help from Newport News Shipbuilding. [8] Each submarine, beginning with District of Columbia, will have 16 missile tubes, each carrying one UGM-133 Trident II missile. The submarines will be 560 feet (170.7 m) long and 43 feet (13.1 m) in diameter, as long as the preceding Ohio-class design, and 1 foot (30 cm) larger in diameter. [6] Each Columbia-class nuclear core is designed to last as long as the submarine is in service avoiding the need for nuclear refueling during the vessel's active service life. [9] [10]

Costs and procurement

The design and technology development of the Columbia class is projected to cost $4.2 billion (fiscal 2010 dollars), although technology and components from the Ohio and Virginia classes are to be included where possible, to save money. The cost to build District of Columbia, the lead boat of the class, will be an estimated $6.2 billion (fiscal 2010 dollars). [6] The Navy has a goal of reducing the average cost of the remaining 11 planned hulls in the class to $4.9 billion each (fiscal 2010 dollars). [9] The total lifecycle cost of the entire class is estimated at $347 billion. [9] The high cost of the submarines is expected to cut deeply into Navy shipbuilding. [11] The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021. [12] On 7 June 2021, the U.S. Navy Budget office announced that the total cost for the first submarine, District of Columbia, would reach $15.03 billion, but that also includes planning costs for the entire program. [13]

Implementation and construction

In March 2016, the U.S. Navy announced that General Dynamics Electric Boat was chosen as the prime contractor and lead design yard. [14] Electric Boat will carry out the majority of the work, on all 12 submarines, including final assembly. [15] All 18 Ohio-class submarines were built at Electric Boat as well. [16] Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding will serve as the main subcontractor, participating in the design and construction and performing 22 to 23 percent of the required work. [17] In late 2016, some 3,000 employees were involved, in Electric Boat alone, in the detailed design phase of the program, [18] with the procurement for the first submarine established in 2021. [6] Completion of District of Columbia is scheduled for 2030, followed by her entry into service in 2031. All 12 submarines are expected to be completed by 2042 and remain in service until 2085. [6] [7]

Propulsion

Electric drive

District of Columbia will have an electric drive propulsion system that uses an electric motor to turn the propeller of a vessel. It is part of a wider (Integrated electric power) concept whose aim is to create an "all electric vessel". [19] [20] Electric drive should reduce the life-cycle cost of the submarine while at the same time reducing acoustic signature. [21] [22]

In 2014, Northrop Grumman was chosen as the prime designer and manufacturer of the turbine generator units. [23] The turbines convert thermal energy in the steam into mechanical energy, and the generators convert that mechanical energy into electrical energy. [24] The electrical energy is then used for powering onboard systems as well as for propulsion via electric motor. [23] [25]

Weapons

Common missile compartment

In December 2008, General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation was selected to design the Common Missile Compartment that will be used on the Columbia class. [26] In 2012, the U.S. Navy announced plans for the class to share a common missile compartment (CMC) design with the Royal Navy's Dreadnought-class submarine. [6] The CMC will house SLBMs in "quad packs". [27] [28]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ohio</i>-class submarine Class of US nuclear ballistic missile submarines

The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). Each displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class boats are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy. They are also the third-largest submarines ever built, behind the Russian Navy's Soviet era 48,000-ton Typhoon class, the last of which was retired in 2023, and 24,000-ton Borei class. Capable of carrying 24 Trident II missiles apiece, the Ohio class are equipped with just as many missiles as, if not more than, either the Borei class (16) or the deactivated Typhoon class (20).

<i>Seawolf</i>-class submarine Class of US nuclear attack submarines

The Seawolf class is a class of nuclear-powered, fast attack submarines (SSN) in service with the United States Navy. The class was the intended successor to the Los Angeles class, and design work began in 1983. A fleet of 29 submarines was to be built over a ten-year period, but that was reduced to 12 submarines. The end of the Cold War and budget constraints led to the cancellation of any further additions to the fleet in 1995, leaving the Seawolf class limited to just three boats. This, in turn, led to the design of the smaller Virginia class. The Seawolf class cost about $3 billion per unit, making it the most expensive United States Navy fast attack submarine and second most expensive submarine ever, after the French Triomphant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trident (missile)</span> American class of submarine-launched ballistic missile

The Trident missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). Originally developed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation, the missile is armed with thermonuclear warheads and is launched from nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Trident missiles are carried by twelve United States Navy Ohio-class submarines, with American warheads, as well as four Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines, with British warheads. The missile is named after the mythological trident of Neptune.

<i>Virginia</i>-class submarine US Navy fast attack submarine class

The Virginia class, or the SSN-774 class, is the newest class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast attack submarines in service with the United States Navy. The class is designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations. They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles-class submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned. Virginia-class submarines will be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service until at least 2060, with later submarines expected to operate into the 2070s.

General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) is a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation. It has been the primary builder of submarines for the United States Navy for more than 100 years. The company's main facilities are a shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, a hull-fabrication and outfitting facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and a design and engineering facility in New London, Connecticut.

A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads. These submarines became a major weapon system in the Cold War because of their nuclear deterrence capability. They can fire missiles thousands of kilometers from their targets, and acoustic quieting makes them difficult to detect, thus making them a survivable deterrent in the event of a first strike and a key element of the mutual assured destruction policy of nuclear deterrence. The deployment of ballistic missile submarines is dominated by the United States and Russia. In fact, 70% of nuclear warheads in the USA are carried by ballistic missile submarines.

USS <i>Ohio</i> (SSGN-726) Submarine of the United States

USS Ohio (SSBN-726/SSGN-726), the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), is the fourth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Ohio. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-726, and with her conversion to a guided missile submarine she was re-designated SSGN-726.

USS <i>Louisiana</i> (SSBN-743) Submarine of the United States

USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) is the 18th and last ship of the United States Navy's Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines. She carries Trident ballistic missiles and has been in commission since 1997. She is the fourth commissioned ship to bear the name of the U.S. state of Louisiana.

USS <i>Maine</i> (SSBN-741) Submarine of the United States

USS Maine (SSBN-741) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in commission since 1995. She is the fourth U.S. Navy ship authorized, and the third commissioned, to be named in honor of the state of Maine. She has the capability to carry 24 nuclear armed Trident ballistic missiles.

<i>George Washington</i>-class submarine United States Navy class of fleet ballistic missile submarines

The George Washington class was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines deployed by the United States Navy. George Washington, along with the later Ethan Allen, Lafayette, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin classes, comprised the "41 for Freedom" group of submarines that represented the Navy's main contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s.

USS <i>Michigan</i> (SSGN-727) Submarine of the United States

USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727) is an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN), converted from a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), that is part of the United States Navy. She is the third vessel to bear the name of the U.S. state of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruise-missile submarine</span> Submarine capable of launching cruise missiles

A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that carries and launches cruise missiles as its primary armament. Missiles greatly enhance a warship's ability to attack surface combatants and strike land targets; although torpedoes are a more discreet option for submerged submarines, missiles give a much longer stand-off range, shorter time to impact the target, as well as the ability to engage multiple targets on different headings at the same time. Many cruise missile submarines retain the capability to deploy nuclear warheads on their missiles, but they are considered distinct from ballistic missile submarines due to the substantial differences between the two weapons systems' flight characteristics; cruise missiles fly aerodynamically using flight surfaces like wings or fins, while a ballistic missile uses its engine power alone as it may exit the atmosphere.

USS <i>Alabama</i> (SSBN-731) Ohio-class submarine

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is the sixth Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and the seventh United States vessel to be named for the state of Alabama. The boat's motto duplicates the state's motto, Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuclear submarine</span> Submarine powered by a nuclear reactor

A nuclear submarine is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. In the US classification, nuclear-powered submarines are designated as SSxN, where the SS denotes submarine, x=G means that the submarine is equipped with guided missiles, x=B means that the submarine is equipped with ballistic missiles and the N means that the submarine is nuclear-powered. SSN refers to nuclear-powered attack submarines, which do not carry missiles.

USS <i>Nebraska</i> (SSBN-739) Submarine of the United States

USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) is the 14th Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, and the second United States Navy vessel to be named in honor of Nebraska, the 37th state. She carries Trident ballistic missiles.

USS <i>Wyoming</i> (SSBN-742) Submarine of the United States

USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1996. She is the fourth US Navy ship to be named USS Wyoming, although it was only the third named after the state of Wyoming.

USS <i>Columbia</i> (SSN-771) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Columbia (SSN-771) is the 21st flight III, or Improved (688i) Los Angeles-class attack submarine of the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1995, the submarine is assigned to Submarine Squadron 7 and homeported in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

<i>Columbia</i>-class submarine Future class of US Navy nuclear ballistic missile submarines

The upcoming Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the United States Navy are designed to replace the Ohio class. Construction of the first vessel began on 1 October 2020. She is scheduled to enter service in 2031.

USS Wisconsin (SSBN-827) will be the second Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. She is the third vessel of the United States Navy to be named after the state of Wisconsin. The previous name holder was the Iowa-class battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64), which decommissioned in 1991 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 2006.

The SSN(X) or Next-Generation Attack Submarine program of the United States Navy aims to develop a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines to succeed the Virginia and Seawolf classes. The SSN(X) program remains in the early stages of development and no official details have been released about its design or capabilities.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "SECNAV Names SSBN 826 USS District of Columbia". United States Navy. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  2. ↑ "Navy Ohio Replacement Sub Class to Be Named for D.C." usni.org. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Katz, Justin (5 June 2022). "Navy, General Dynamics lay the keel for newly renamed USS District of Columbia". Breakingdefense.com. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "First Columbia Ballistic Missile Submarine Begins to Take Shape". United States Naval Institute. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Commander, Submarine Squadron 16". US Navy. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 O'Rourke, Ronald (17 September 2017). "Navy Navy SSBN(X) Ballistic Missile Submarine Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. R41129. Retrieved 23 September 2017– via Federation of American Scientists.
  7. 1 2 Kris Osborn (8 April 2014). "Navy Finishes Specs for Future Nuclear Sub". Dodbuzz.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Columbia-class Program Upping Oversight of Vendors, Components to Stave Off Further Delays". usni.org. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 "U.S. Nuclear Modernization Programs". Arms Control Association. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Ohio-class Replacement Will Carry "Re-packaged and Re-hosted" Weapons System". Defense Media Network. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  11. ↑ Ratnam, Gopal; Capaccio, Tony (9 March 2011). "U.S. Navy Sees 20-Year, $333 Billion Plan Missing Ship Goals". Bloomberg . Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Report on the Columbia-class Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Program". USNI News, 20 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "Cost Estimates for Lead Boat in Columbia-class Program Grow by $637M". USNI News. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  14. ↑ Grace Jean (30 March 2016). "USN taps General Dynamics Electric Boat as prime contractor for Ohio Replacement Programme". IHS Jane's 360, Janes.com. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  15. ↑ "Ohio Replacement Plan Is Good News For Electric Boat". Breaking Defense. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "SSBN / SSGN Ohio Class Submarine". Naval Technology. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  17. ↑ "Newport News Shipbuilding's share of Virginia-class submarine deliveries to grow | Defense & Shipyards". Pilotonline.com. 29 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  18. ↑ Bergman, Julia (10 December 2016). "Navy contracts mean Electric Boat will hire 14,000 over next 13 years" . The Day.
  19. ↑ "An Integrated Electric Power System: the Next Step". Navy.mil. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "Going Electric". Defense Media Network. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "Propulsion Systems for Navy Ships and Submarines" (PDF). Government Accounting Office . 6 July 2006.
  22. ↑ Technology for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 2000–2035 Becoming a 21st-Century Force: Volume 2: Technology. Nap.edu. 1 June 2003. doi:10.17226/5863. ISBN   978-0-309-05897-1 . Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  23. 1 2 "News". Northrop Grumman.
  24. ↑ "Electricity 101 | GE Gas Power". gepower-v2.
  25. ↑ "Ohio Replacement Subs To Shift To Electric Drive". Military.com. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  26. ↑ "CMC Program to Define Future SSBN Launchers for UK, USA". Defense Industry Daily. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  27. ↑ "Navy Signs Specification Document for the Ohio Replacement Submarine Program, Sets forth Critical Design Elements". Navy News Service. 6 September 2012. NNS120906-13. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  28. ↑ Patani, Arif (24 September 2012). "Next Generation Ohio-Class". Navylive.dodlive.mil. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
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