![]() Submarines will use a nuclear reactor to generate energy, which will be converted into electrical power to fuel the electric propulsion motor. It is expected to be quieter than a mechanical drive system. The electric-drive propulsion system on board the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines will include an electric motor driving the propeller of the boat. The horse-shoe-shaped LAB sonar is made of special composite materials to enhance the transfer of acoustic signals. The submarines will feature a large aperture bow (LAB) sonar system and can also be outfitted with a submarine warfare federated tactical system (SWFTS) for integrating sonar, optical imaging, and weapons control systems. Sensors fitted to the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines Powered by three solid-fuel rocket motors, the three-stage missile can carry up to 14 multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles with W88 or W76 thermonuclear warheads to a distance of 12,000km. Weapon systemsĮach submarine will be installed with 16 missile tubes for launching 16 Trident II D5 (LE) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). The submerged displacement of the boat will be 20,810t. It will be built and assembled in parallel with the hull and integrated into the hull along with decks, other equipment and systems.Įach submarine will measure 170.7m-long and will have a diameter of 13.1m. The missile compartment will integrate four factory-made missile tubes equipped with a quad pack each. The hull will be covered with an anechoic coating. In May 2019, Electric Boat received a $497m contract modification to develop and expand submarine industrial base in support of the Columbia-class and the Nuclear Shipbuilding enterprise.Ĭolumbia-class ballistic missile submarines will feature X-shaped stern control surfaces and sail-mounted dive planes. Preliminary construction works began at Electric Boat’s facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, US, in 2017, while final assembly and trials of the submarines will be performed at Electric Boat’s shipyard in Groton in 2024. The two shipbuilders will engage multiple vendors and suppliers to perform the work. ![]() Newport News Shipbuilding is responsible for engineering analysis, development of components, detail planning, and technical services.Įlectric Boat acts as the prime contractor for the submarine programme, with 80% of the work being performed by Electric Boat and the remaining 20% being delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding. General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded a $468m subcontract to Newport News Shipbuilding to support the construction of the submarines in December 2017. The US Navy placed a $5bn detailed design contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat for the Columbia-class submarine programme in September 2017. ![]() Columbia-class submarine programme details ![]()
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