USS "District of Columbia". That's how the successor of the Ohio-type submarines is made.

The construction of the first strategic nuclear submarine type Columbia enters the next stage. New photograph of one of the sections of the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826) shows the scale of the program to ensure the U.S. Navy's continuity of the marine pillar of the American nuclear triad following the withdrawal of Ohio-type ships.

A new look at the future USS District of Columbia

The network featured a photograph depicting elements of the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826), the first strategic nuclear-powered submarine of the Columbia type. The material published by Ashley Cowan, head photographer of Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard, shows the completed section forward ship.

Initially, it was indicated that a picture of the forward section was taken at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton. This information was subsequently corrected. According to HII, the photograph was taken at Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard, even before sending the section to the Electric Boat.

However, this is not just a detail of the location of the photo. The case shows well the industrial nature of the Columbia programme, based on the division of work between the largest American shipyards building nuclear submarines.

Columbia Programme and Importance for US Navy

The beginning of the program already has a symbolic date of 4 June 2022 at the General Dynamics Electric Boat plant in Quonset Point a keel under the USS was laid District of Columbia (SSBN 826), the first strategic nuclear-powered new generation submarine. It opened a series of 12 Columbia-type units to replace 14 remaining Ohio-type ships. These have been the marine pillar of American nuclear deterrence for decades.

In American terminology, ships of this category are commonly referred to as "boomery". Their importance is due to the difficulty of detection and the ability to remain submerged for many months without needing to emerge. This is why the marine component is considered the most difficult part of the U.S. Navy nuclear triad to destroy.

Ships are expected to take action as part of nuclear deterrence as Ohio ships are phased out of service. According to current USS plans District of Columbia is to be transferred to the US Navy in the early 1930s, and the entire series is to remain in service until at least the 1980s.

Modular construction and transport of hull sections

The construction of Columbia ships is carried out by modular method. Part of the section is created at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard, owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries, and the final assembly is carried out by General Dynamics Electric Boat.

The division of works is permanent. Electric Boat is responsible for the main part of the program, while Newport News Shipbuilding participates in engineering analyses, prefabrication of selected sections and development of detailed documentation.

It is also worth noting that the aft section visible in the photographs is to hold the components of the drive system and the stern rudders in the X system. This solution is one of the most distinctive structural changes to earlier American strategic submarines.

Larger ship, fewer missiles

Columbia ships will be larger than Ohio units. According to data published in industry materials, their length is about 171 m and the buoyancy in the underwater position is expected to reach 20,810 tonnes. By comparison, the Ohio type is about 170 m long and buoyancy about 18 400 tons.

Despite greater buoyancy, Columbia ships will receive 16 UGM-133 Trident II D5LE ballistic missile launchers. For comparison, Ohio-type ships were designed with 24 weapons launchers.

Interestingly, for the transport of finished hull blocks between plants is used specially built Holland barge. The unit was established at the Bollinger Shipyards shipyard and was intended to transport sections of both Columbia-type ships and Virginia-type assault submarines. Its name refers to John Holland, the designer of the first U.S. Navy submarine.

However, this does not mean reducing the importance of these ships in the deterrence system. The launchers will be deployed in four common mission composition modules, four launchers per module. This arrangement organizes the structure of the rocket compartment and fits into the assumptions of the modular structure.

In addition to those ballistic missiles, the USS District of Columbia is to carry Mk 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedoes. The ship's design also provides for solutions limiting acoustic detection and modern sensors, partly derived from the latest versions of Virginia-type submarines.

Drive, silence and Virginia experience

Technical Columbia type to benefit from the experience gained in the construction of the latest versions of Virginia-type assault submarines. This applies in particular to sensors, noise reduction solutions and selected components of the propulsion system.

The new ships are expected to receive a reactor that does not require replacement of nuclear fuel throughout the planned service period. From the point of view of operation, this will reduce long-term repair breaks and increase ship availability to long-term stay in designated areas of operation.

I want a pump-jet, known for its ships. of type Virginia. Electricity for propulsion will be generated by steam-fuelled turbo-generators due to nuclear reactor energy. Such a system is intended to reduce the number of sources of vibration and noise, so to improve one of the most important features of a strategic submarine – the secrecy of action.

Strategic and Industrial Programme

The Columbia programme remains one of the most important modernization projects of the US Navy. It's not just about replacing aging Ohio ships. The United States must maintain the continuity of nuclear deterrence patrols while preserving industry's ability to build the most complex warships.

In parallel, the construction of the first units of the series takes place. After USS District of Columbia The next ship will be the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827). The planned series includes 12 ships to enter service until the early 1940s.

From a Perspective ship industry The program is just as important as the Navy itself. It requires constant collaboration of Electric Boat, Newport News Shipbuilding and numerous sub-suppliers responsible for hull sections, ship systems, drive, sensors and armaments.

The Columbia programme shows that maintaining marine nuclear deterrence does not depend solely on ships themselves and their weapons. Equally important remains the ability of industry to design, build and serially deliver the most complex warships. In this sense, USS District of Columbia is not only an Ohio-type successor, but also a test of the condition of the American shipbuilding industry.