Navy’s stealthy Columbia subs set to launch first patrol in 2031, with a new missile variant

Navy’s stealthy Columbia subs set to launch first patrol in 2031, with a new missile variant



The U.S. Navy is planning its first strategic patrol of the emerging nuclear-armed Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine in 2031 -- launching a new generation of technically advanced submarines intended to quietly patrol the undersea domain to ensure second-strike ability should the U.S. be hit with a catastrophic nuclear attack.