The U.S. Navy's Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program is encountering significant delays and cost overruns, as highlighted in a September 30 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The Columbia-class nuclear submarines are set to replace the aging Ohio-class fleet as the cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's sea-based strategic deterrent. Designed to carry ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads,

The Navy's planned $130 billion investment in a new class of submarines, which serve as a key part of the nation's nuclear deterrence program, is behind

The Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarines were pivotal to the U.S. Navy's nuclear deterrent strategy during the Cold War. Built between 1961 and 1964, these nine submarines were an enhanced version of the preceding Ethan Allen-class.

The U.S. Navy's ambitious Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program, a cornerstone of its nuclear deterrence strategy, is perilously behind schedule. This has raised concerns over whether the Navy can replace its aging Ohio-class SSBNs in time to maintain a robust nuclear deterrence capability,

The first sub won't be delivered until between October 2028 and February 2029 and will cost "hundreds of millions of dollars" more than the originally projected.

GAO says the U.S. Navy should better manage the risks associated with its acquisition of 12 Columbia class submarines for $130 billion