US Navy: Keel laid for second Columbia-class submarine

September 1, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The keel for the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), the US Navy’s second Columbia-class submarine, was laid during a ceremony on August 27, 2025, at the General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB), Quonset Point facility in Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The ceremony signifies a major milestone in the life of a ship as it begins to transition from design to reality. The future Wisconsin will be the second Columbia-class submarine, following the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826). The keel for the first vessel in this class was laid in 2022.

Keel laid for US Navy’s lead Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine

Vessels

The US Navy, alongside GDEB, began the conceptual designs for Columbia in 2007 as a replacement for the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines due to begin retiring in 2027.

At a length of 170.6 meters and displacing 20,810 tons, the Columbia will be the largest submarine ever built by the US, according to officials. Its reactor will not require refueling during the lifetime of planned service making the ship more cost-effective to operate and maximizing its time in deployment.

The Columbia-class submarines will carry 16 missiles each, which in total represents approximately 70 percent of the US nuclear triad, according to the statement.

In addition to its complement of missiles, the submarine will be armed with Mk 48 torpedoes and will feature acoustic performance and art sensors to make it “the most capable and quiet submarine ever built”.

“Our ballistic missile submarines are the most survivable leg of our nation’s nuclear triad; they are the ultimate guarantee that no adversary will ever miscalculate America’s resolve,” said Adm. William Houston, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, in his keynote remarks.

“From this keel, the Wisconsin will rise—an intricate structure of power, precision, and purpose. And just as the keel bears the weight of the ship, this vessel bears the weight of our nation’s most solemn responsibility: to deter war and preserve peace through strength.”