Marc Selinger
Defense Daily
The Navy has formally received the go-ahead to begin detailed design of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine.
Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall signed a memorandum late Jan. 4 authorizing the program’s next development phase. His move follows a Defense Acquisition Board review of the program in November.
The Navy plans to build 12 Columbia-class submarines to replace 14 aging Ohio-class boomers. General Dynamics Electric Boat is the prime contractor and Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding has a secondary role.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), whose state is home to Electric Boat, welcomed the news in a joint statement.
“This step puts the program on a clear path forward,” the senators said. “We will continue to lead the call in Congress for full funding [of] Columbia-class replacement work.”
Navy officials have said that detailed design must begin by January to meet a requirement to conduct the first patrol in fiscal year 2031. But the phase’s start was in jeopardy because the fiscal year 2017 defense appropriations bill has not been completed. However, the continuing resolution that Congress passed last month contains an “anomaly” that allows the submarine program to move forward.
