New Look at America’s Next Ballistic Missile Submarine
Published on 10/06/2026
By Ethan Gossrow
In News
New Look at America's Next Ballistic Missile Submarine
New photos of the future ballistic missile submarine USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) surfaced online via Ashley Cowen’s (Lead Photographer at Newport News Shipbuilding) LinkedIn page.
These photos offer a new look at both the in progress bow and stern section, with the stern due to house the both the propulsion system and the X-shaped stern control planes. Both of these sections appear to be inside General Dynamics Electric Boat’s South Yard Assembly Building or another large construction hall at their primary submarine yard in Groton, Connecticut.
Naval News has previously reported on the arrival of the “Atlas” dry dock meant to service the Columbia-class SSBNs in January of 2026. The continual delivery of components, entire sections of the submarine, and supporting infrastructure suggests that the construction process continues to rapidly progress prior to the delivery of SSBN-826 herself sometime in early 2029.
The Columbia-class of SSBNs remains amongst the Navy’s top priority as the class continues to see investments, with the next 5 boats in the class (hulls 4-8) procured at a rate of one per year over the next 5 fiscal years, for a total cost of $62 billion dollars dedicated towards the missile boats.
About the Columbia-class Submarines
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/new-look-at-americas-next-ballistic-missile-submarine/
