USNI News | April 10, 2025

The lead ship in the Columbia class of nuclear submarines is facing delivery delays of up to 18 months, and “critical path challenges” continue to jeopardize carrier delivery schedules, Navy officials told Congress on Tuesday.

Likewise, nuclear aircraft carriers are facing delays as production on future Ford-class hulls are taking longer than anticipated, the officials told the Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee.

For the Columbia-class submarines, set to replace the Ohio-class boats in the U.S. nuclear triad, lead ship District of Columbia (SSBN-826), is now set to deliver in 2029, which is 12 to 18 months behind schedule, said Rear Adm. Todd Weeks, program executive officer for strategic submarines. The next ships in the class, Wisconsin (SSBN-827) and Groton (SSBN-828), are set to follow roughly on schedule in 2032 and 2034, he said.

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