Class overview | |
---|---|
Preceded by: | Ohio class |
Cost: | $109.8 billion for 12 boats (FY2021, projected) |
Planned: | 12 |
Specs | |
Type: | Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) |
Displacement: | 20,810 long tons (submerged) |
Length: | 560 ft (171 m) |
Beam: | 43 ft (13 m) |
Speed: | 20+ knots |
Diving Depth: | 800+ feet |
Installed power: | Nuclear reactor |
Propulsion: | Turbo-electric drive, pump-jet |
Range: | Unlimited |
Complement: | 155 (accommodation) |
Sensors and processing systems: | Enlarged version of the Virginia-class LAB sonar |
Armament: | 16 × Trident D5 |
General Characteristics
Although still evolving, the following are some of the characteristics for the SSBN(X) design:
Advanced Capabilities
The U.S. Navy has also stated that "owing to the unique demands of strategic relevance, SSBN(X)s must be fitted with the most up-to-date capabilities and stealth to ensure they are survivable throughout their full 40-year life span."
Additional reported design features include:
Common Missile Compartment (CMC)
Since 2008, the United States and the United Kingdom (U.K.) have been
jointly developing a common system to house the tubes that will carry
submarine launched ballistic missiles. Columbia class SSBNs and U.K. SSBNs will carry the Trident II D-5 missile for the first portion of their respective operational lives. The U.S. missiles are armed with nuclear warheads maintained by the Department of Energy (DOE).
In addition to the missile tubes, the CMC program also provides systems to
support the missiles and the launch equipment, including power, cooling,
gas venting, and launch hardware and software. The Navy’s Strategic
Systems Program is responsible for CMC development efforts.
Workers stand in the four-tube "Quad Pack" built as part of the CMC Program. (GDEB Photo via US Navy)
Columbia-Class Submarine Size
Columbia-Class Submarines will be the largest U.S. Navy Submarine ever built.
It will be larger than the Ohio-class, the current largest submarine, in terms of submerged displacement.