Developing and building 12 Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines is expected to cost about $100 billion, the Navy said Jan. 9.
The disclosure of the acquisition price tag came five days after the program, which has been in a preliminary design phase, received Pentagon approval to move into its detail design phase. Capt. David Goggins, the Columbia program director, said the Navy aims to achieve an “83 percent design maturity” before starting construction in 2021.
“The Navy is committed to delivering Columbia on time and within budget while taking advantage of every opportunity to achieve further cost savings,” Goggins said in a statement.
The lead ship is scheduled to conduct its first patrol in fiscal year 2031. Columbia submarines will replace aging Ohio-class boomers.