Largest-ever: Five 20,800-ton nuclear missile submarines set to join U.S. Navy 10 December 2025

An artist rendering of the future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. Image courtesy of the U.S. Navy via Interesting Engineering.

On 17 November 2025, The Pentagon awarded a $2.28 billion contract to support advance procurement and construction of five Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, the next-generation fleet that will anchor America’s sea-based nuclear deterrent for the next half-century. The award, issued under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement procedures and announced by the Department of Defense, covers long-lead materials and early construction activities for hulls SSBN-828 through SSBN-832.

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