A new powerful submarine’s construction that can bolster U.S. Navy’s defense has begun. Named USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), the vessel will be the second Columbia-class submarine, following the future USS District of Columbia.

Columbia-class submarines will replace the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The Navy’s ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as an undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Set to be designed specifically for stealth, the vessel will provide an ensured second-strike capability, forming the backbone of the nation’s strategic deterrence strategy.

Ballistic missile submarines are survivable leg of nation’s nuclear triad

The keel for the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) was laid during a ceremony on August 27 at the General Dynamics Electric Boat Quonset Point facility in Kingstown, Rhode Island.

“Our ballistic missile submarines are the most survivable leg of our nation’s nuclear triad; they are the ultimate guarantee that no adversary will ever miscalculate America’s resolve,” said Adm. William Houston, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, in his keynote remarks.

“From this keel, the Wisconsin will rise—an intricate structure of power, precision, and purpose. And just as the keel bears the weight of the ship, this vessel bears the weight of our nation’s most solemn responsibility: to deter war and preserve peace through strength.”

This is the third Navy ship to bear the name Wisconsin. The original Wisconsin (BB-9), an Illinois-class pre-Dreadnought battleship, was commissioned in 1901 and served as the flagship of the Pacific fleet until 1903. In 1908, the ship joined the Atlantic fleet for the trans-Pacific leg of the Great White Fleet and was decommissioned in 1920, according to a press release.

Undetectable launch platform

“To our shipbuilders, engineers and suppliers: your craftsmanship makes this possible,” said Houston. “You are laying not just a keel, but the foundation of security for generations to come.”

Columbia-class submarines will replace the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The Navy’s ballistic missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as an undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The U.S. Fleet Forces Command revealed that the SSBN 827 is currently under construction via a manufacturing teaming arrangement between General Dynamics, Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut and Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia.

Reports have revealed that the vessel is planned to have a submerged displacement of 20,810 tons.

More than 300 defense contractors and hardware and software suppliers from the state of Wisconsin are also supporting the design and development of COLUMBIA (SSBN 826) Class submarines, as well. The vessel will have two crews, traditionally the Blue & Gold crews, comprised of the exceptional men and women who will operate and maintain this nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine as vessel completes its mission of strategic deterrence, according to U.S. Fleet Forces Command.