Build one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines a year, a rate US yards have never reached, so new missile subs replace Ohio-class boats that start retiring in 2027.
ScalingStage 5 of 5
Virginia at about 1.3 boats a year vs a goal of two; first Columbia due 2028 after slipping.
Updated 29 Jul 2026·Checked 11 Oct·0 updates this week
Milestones
Next · District of Columbia delivered
Columbia-class construction begins1 Oct 2020Complete.
District of Columbia (lead boat) keel laid4 Jun 2022Complete.
Wisconsin (second Columbia) keel laidAug 2025Complete.
$2.3B Columbia contract modificationNov 2025Complete.
USS Idaho commissioned (Virginia class)Apr 2026Complete.
$76.6B award: 9 Virginia + 5 Columbia boats29 Jul 2026Complete.
District of Columbia deliveredTarget 2028+12 mooriginally 2027Current milestone.
District of Columbia on first deterrent patrolTarget 2031Not yet reached.
Wisconsin deliveredTarget 2032Not yet reached.
Two Virginia-class boats a yearTarget 2032+48 mooriginally 2028Not yet reached.
2028District of Columbia delivered+12 mooriginally 2027 (next)
2028District of Columbia (first Columbia-class) delivery
2031District of Columbia on first deterrent patrol
2032Wisconsin delivered
2032Two Virginia-class boats a year+48 mooriginally 2028
2032Wisconsin (second Columbia-class) delivery
2034Groton (third Columbia) delivered
Current obstacles
Late parts from sole-source suppliersSupply chain is the gating item, says GD's CEO; one late component can stall a boat.
Virginia Block V running lateThe first 10 Block V boats have slipped almost three years on average; GAO says recovery plans are underperforming.
Hiring and training at scaleElectric Boat planned about 8,000 hires in 2026; GAO cites too few experienced workers as a cause of delays.
Physics limits
Nuclear-grade quality on every weldA submarine hull and reactor plant must hold up at depth for decades, so welds and parts are inspected far more than in commercial ships; that inspection load sets a floor on build time.
Huge one-off parts from few suppliersLarge castings and forgings come from a handful of foundries with long queues; a single late part can hold a whole boat, which is why the Navy funds 3D-printed replacements.
How it works
4 parts
Modules
Sections first, final assembly in Groton
Hull sections are built and fitted out at Quonset Point, Newport News and suppliers, then joined into a boat in Groton.
Lifetime reactor
No refuelling
Columbia's reactor core is designed to last the boat's whole service life, so it skips the mid-life refuelling Ohio boats needed.
Electric drive
Quieter propulsion
An electric motor turns the propeller instead of reduction gears; the reactor still makes steam for turbines that generate power.
Priority
Columbia comes first
Columbia is the Navy's top priority, so when labour or parts run short, Virginia boats wait (a risk CRS has flagged).
The team behind Columbia and Virginia submarine production
GD
General Dynamics Electric Boat
Nuclear submarines, Columbia and Virginia class
Electric Boat designs and builds US Navy nuclear submarines in Groton, Connecticut and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. It is prime contractor for the Columbia-class missile submarine and builds the Virginia class jointly with HII's Newport News Shipbuilding.
July 2026: $76.6B Navy award for nine Virginia and five Columbia submarines plus $5B of yard upgrades.
Virginia boats deliver about 1.3 a year (May 2026) against a goal of two a year.
Lead Columbia boat ~65% complete in Feb 2026; delivery targeted for 2028, from 2027 originally.
