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Columbia-Class SSBN-X Ohio-Replacement

SSBN-730 Henry M. Jackson and SSBN-731 Alabama would not be replaced. The fifth Ohio-class SSBN retires in Fiscal year 2031, which would leave the Navy with a force of nine ships. If the lead replacement was not ready to take over by that date, it would leave the Navy one below its mandated requirement to have at least 10 boomers.

The delay of two years in the Ohio Replacement program will result in a period of time, in the 2029 to 2041 time frame, when the force structure, the numbers of ships for the Ohio-Class, and the strategic deterrent will drop below what the combatant commanders requirements are, what the numbers are -- or the Navy's number are for the numbers of platforms. Twelve is what the specified number for the ships are to meet the combatant commanders' requirements. We will drop below that number during that period of time. It would be about 10 ships during that period.

During a ceremony 14 December 2016 at the District of Columbia city hall, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus formally announced the first ship of the new fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), formerly known as the Ohio-class replacement, will be named USS Columbia (SSBN 826) in honor of the District of Columbia. Ballistic missile submarines are critical, stabilizing and efficient elements of the U.S. nuclear deterrence and assurance policy, carrying the majority of deployed U.S. nuclear warheads. Columbia-class SSBNs incorporate advanced technology and will provide the most survivable leg of the Nation's strategic triad.