The U.S. Navy's Next Missile Sub Is Called USS Columbia
She'll be the first of an entirely new class of ballistic missile submarines.
By Kyle Mizokami
Dec 15, 2016
341
The first ship of America's next-generation ballistic missile submarine fleet has officially been named USS Columbia. The ship will cruise the oceans of the world carrying a lethal load of long-range nuclear-tipped missiles, providing a lethal second strike capability designed to discourage enemies from launching a surprise attack.
Nuclear ballistic missile submarines make up one leg of the U.S. nuclear "triad." Along with bombers planes and ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, missile submarines give war planners options for deterring—and if necessary, fighting—a nuclear war. The stealthy nature of submarines makes them a perfect place to hide missiles from enemy attack, ensuring that they can survive a surprise attack to launch a devastating response. More than any other arm of the triad, missile submarines deter war by ensuring a revenge attack is possible.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a24331/the-us-navys-next-missile-sub-is-uss-columbia/
