US Navy officials note programme delays and cost issues for construction

The US Navy is grappling with delivery delays and cost concerns regarding its nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, as highlighted in recent testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower.

The US Navy is anticipating a delay of 12–18 months for the delivery of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which is deemed a top acquisition priority. Shipbuilder performance, supply chain challenges, and the complexity of first-of-class construction are cited as key factors contributing to the projected delay.

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USN officials are collaborating with submarine shipbuilders General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) to implement an alternative build strategy aimed at recovering up to 12 months of schedule delay. The focus is on improving overall performance and expediting the delivery of the lead ship, District of Columbia (SSBN 826).

The US Navy is facing delivery delays and cost concerns with its nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, as revealed in recent testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower. Of particular worry is the delay projected for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, the navy’s top acquisition priority, due to shipbuilder performance and supply chain challenges. Efforts are underway to implement aggressive recovery strategies and ensure timely delivery of the first Columbia-class submarine to meet operational requirements.

US Navy Grapples with Nuclear Submarine and Aircraft Carrier Delivery Challenges