
The negotiated conference result for the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) had Senate and House members agree to increase advanced procurement funds for the Columbia-class submarine, approve additional ship-to-shore connectors (SSCs), and prepare the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) for the upcoming MQ-25 unmanned carrier tanker aircraft.The Columbia-class program is working to replace 14 Ohio-class nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) with 12 new vessels. The Navy has called the Columbia program its highest priority and expects to procure…