The U.S. Navy’s $132 Billion Columbia-Class Submarine Is Now a Giant Headache

The U.S. Navy’s $132 Billion Columbia-Class Submarine Is Now a Giant Headache

Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Navy’s Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines are designed to replace the aging Ohio-class and sustain America’s most survivable nuclear deterrent for decades. Twelve boats are planned, each carrying 16 Trident II missiles and powered by a life-of-ship reactor meant to avoid midlife refueling overhauls. The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) transits the Puget Sound during routine op…