About the upcoming replacement of nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles (PLARB) Ohio class on a new type of submarine missile carriers in US military and industrial circles began to speak back in 2012 year. Already at that time decided on the name and tactical numbering, as well as the number of missile silos and the total number of new "strategists" required.
And so, US Navy moves from words to action, declaring an agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) a contract for the development of a project and documentation for the construction of SSBNs for the new Columbia project (Columbia). The cost of project development and construction documentation for the contract amounted to 869 million dollars.
According to foreign media, an option is included in the contract for the preparation of documentation, according to which in the future, the US Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat will conclude a contract for the construction of the first two boats at once, who have already received tactical numbers SSBN-826 and SSBN-827. This contract will cost American taxpayers in the amount of 9,47 billion.
At Newport News Shipbuilding (Virginia) The first steel cutting ceremony for the Columbia Corps took place. Company, reportedly, received a contract from GDEB. Expected, that the launch of the first nuclear-powered submarine of the Columbia class will take place in 2028 year, to 2031 year, Colombia should be brought to the level of readiness to carry out tasks according to its purpose and begin to carry out combat duty. It was also reported, that the construction of the second boat of this project will begin in 2024 year.
In total, it is planned to have 12 submarine missiles of this type, which gradually, to 2042 of the year, will be introduced into the US Navy, besides that starting from 2027 Ohio type boats, one per year, will be removed from the fleet and disposed of. That is, by the time the first Columbia is put on alert, the US Navy will remain 9-10 SSBN type Ohio, and that amount will last until, when shipments of new Columbia SSBNs exceed the number of Ohio-type SSBN charges. In this way, USA will come to 2042 year with 12 nuclear submarines "Colombia" instead of those currently in service 14 SSBN type Ohio. However, not only the number of boats goes downward, but also the number of rocket mines, available on board SSBNs. Previously, different options were called for Colombia - from 12 to 20 mines, whereas on Ohio them 24.
Now defined, that only a new generation SSBN will be placed 16 rocket mines, in this way, after a complete upgrade of the submarine missile fleet, the US Navy will have in total on “underwater platforms” 192 ballistic missiles, whereas now they have 336. This decrease is due to a twofold decrease in the operational voltage of the submarine forces., occurred over the last ten years, however, a number of analysts claim, that so many new nuclear submarines will be excessive to maintain even the current level of combat readiness of submarine nuclear forces.
It is believed, that the operation of new SSBNs will last at least until 2084 of the year. For the entire duration of its service, each boat will have to 124 combat duty, each lasting several months - about three trips a year.
reported, that in the SSBN project "Colombia" implemented new architectural solutions, in particular, Columbia class boats will receive X-shaped aft steering wheels, that, According to experts, improve handling and maneuverability. The design of the reactor will allow it to be operated without replacing the core during the entire life cycle of a submarine, whereas existing SSBNs require recharging the reactor later 20 years of service. Besides, a number of structural elements of Colombia will be represented by units and assemblies, well-developed at the Virginia submarine, - sound-absorbing coating, low-noise water-jet propulsion and sonar station.
According to the U.S. Navy Command, SSBNs of a new type in the foreseeable future can be armed not only with ballistic missiles, but also hypersonic weapons, which is currently undergoing the design and construction of prototypes.
It is worth noting, that in the world only the USA allows themselves to have these types of weapons, Russia, China, France, England and one SSBN have the Indian Navy. Currently SSBN (the name of the SSBN is adopted in Russia - a strategic missile submarine cruiser) the new generation are only in service with the Russian Navy - project submarines 955 "Northwind", As part of the Northern and Pacific fleets, three project SSBNs are serving 955 and one cruiser, built according to the modernized project 955A. Each Russian boat carries 16 Bulava ballistic missiles.
Author: Alexey Sukonkin
