News from 2024 ASIU: Navy Hopes to Bump Sub Production to 3 Per Year by 2028

The Navy aims to boost its lagging submarine production from an underperforming 1.3 in 2024 to one Columbia-class (pictured above) and two Virginia-class by 2028. Image courtesy of National Defense Magazine.

The Navy aspires to boost its submarine production from an underperforming 1.3 in 2024 to one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class by 2028 through a plan called “1+2+Sustainment by 2028.” The 1+2 refers to the one Columbia-class submarine and two Virginia-class, with sustainment including obligations such as supporting the AUKUS agreement — a trilateral security partnership between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

RADM Jonathan Rucker, program executive officer for attack submarines, said at the Naval Submarine League’s Annual Symposium and Industry Update, held on 13 November 2024, that the plan means “achieving and sustaining serial production of one Columbia and two Virginias per year” as well as supporting 80 percent operational availability for attack submarines “each and every year,” and delivering improved warfighting capability.

Learn more on National Defense Magazine.