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 system designs (as applicable), focus on lifecycle 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 along with continued development efforts for the class. In support of award for the COLUMBIA Build I modification (SSBN 826, SSBN 827, and associated design/support efforts) planned for FY2020, the Navy and Electric Boat reached a signed settlement framework on 20 December 2019. This will be a modification under the existing IPPD contract (N00024-17-C-2117). Award of the modification (as an option for the two hulls) is targeted for 3QFY2020 (baseline was October 2020). This in in line with the program's approved Acquisition Strategy. The program will request authorization of SSBN 826 in FY21, funded with three years of incremental funding in FY21-23, and authorization of SSBN 827 in FY24, funded with two years of incremental funding in FY24-25. The RDT&E efforts support this plan. The following key activities support the COLUMBIA Class SSBN Program: 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 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 utilized to include Multi-Program Material Procurement (MPMP) and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ). Activities were executed for the first article quad pack (FAQP) prototype of the CMC to support the UK DREADNOUGHT Program and COLUMBIA Program, and to continue validation of the Integrated Tube and Hull (ITH) build strategy. These activities included the continuation of the construction of the FAQP, which began 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, 2021
• Source ID: 3220_0603595N_4_1319_PB_2021

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

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