COLUMBIA Class Submarine Development
Abstract
The COLUMBIA Submarine Class Program (previously the OHIO Replacement Class) is developing the next generation sea-based strategic deterrent. The funding applies to the design, systems engineering, prototyping, and vendor qualification activities needed to execute the schedule for Common Missile Compartment (CMC) design, whole ship design, and component technologies development for the next generation U.S. ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). This RDT&E program supports cooperation with the United Kingdom (UK) to maintain strategic deterrence, based on a single effort to develop a CMC as agreed by the UK Secretary of State for Defense and the U.S. Secretary of Defense in 2009. The COLUMBIA program strategy is to leverage the re-use of existing Submarine systems (as applicable), focus on Life Cycle Total Ownership Cost (TOC) affordability, and meet the military requirements established for this SSBN to achieve mission success in a challenging environment. The requested funding levels provide for the Technology Development, Design, Engineering, and Integration efforts necessary to support the COLUMBIA Class SSBN lead ship construction start in FY 2021. The following key activities support a ship acquisition program to replace the OHIO Class SSBNs: 1. Design and development of a missile compartment, launch system, and Strategic Weapons Support Systems (SWSS) to meet U.S. strategic requirements while cooperating with the UK on modernizing its strategic deterrent in accordance with Presidential direction (December 2006). 2. Concept Definition, System Definition, and Detailed Design for remaining portions of the ship will be accomplished through a Design/Build/Sustain approach modeled after the approach used by the VIRGINIA Class program. 3. Engineering and integration of existing technologies and development of new technologies required to provide the capabilities necessary to ensure platform operational effectiveness and minimize life cycle cost. COLUMBIA Class SSBN Concept Study, System Definition Prototyping, and Technology Development Efforts support design, systems engineering, component development and vendor qualification activities needed to develop the CMC design and the COLUMBIA whole ship design. The COLUMBIA design timelines are based on a design approach proven on the VIRGINIA Class Program, adjusted for the additional complexity of a missile compartment and Strategic Weapons Systems (SWS). Planned technical studies and prototyping are necessary to reduce risks associated with updating SSBN system designs for current technical standards and demonstrating design feasibility of developmental technology to meet the ship design and construction schedule. The Navy continues to invest in program funded affordability initiatives similar to those employed successfully for VIRGINIA Class, but tailored to the unique SSBN mission and operational tempo of COLUMBIA Class to drive down overall program costs. Efforts focus on reducing ship construction costs through implementing more effective design features and fabrication and assembly methods for a more affordable submarine. As part of this effort, alternative procurement and contracting strategies are also being examined to include Multi-Program Material Procurement (MPMP) and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ). FY17 activities were executed to ensure the first article quad pack (FAQP) prototype of the CMC remains on schedule to support the UK DREADNOUGHT Program and to continue validation of the Integrated Tube and Hull (ITH) build strategy. These activities included the start of construction for the FAQP in August 2016 with a planned completion in 2019. The CMC program will mature required technologies and re-host the TRIDENT II D5 SWS (Launcher, Fire Control and Navigation) while ensuring no degradation to D5 security, safety, and performance. In addition, whole ship design efforts are focused on technologies requiring significant engineering, integration, and development time as well as those technologies that are required to support ship design and construction schedules such as the propulsor and maneuvering/ship control. These technologies are critical for stealth capability for a ship class that will be in service until the 2080s. Ship detailed design efforts include important pre-construction activities such as finalizing ship arrangements, development of design disclosures to support build products,, risk characterization, and mitigation, improvement and validation of performance prediction tools and improvement of design tools. Technology development will address engineering and integration of existing technologies as well as maturation of developmental technologies. On 14 December 2016, the Secretary of the Navy announced the lead ship of the OHIO Replacement Program will be USS COLUMBIA (SSBN 826) which officially designates this program the COLUMBIA Class Submarine Program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 3220_0603595N_4_1319_PB_2019
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