GAO disputes reliability of Columbia class costs
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) says that the US Navy’s (USN) costing figures for its new Columbia-class SSBNs may be unreliable.
A recently released report made this claim on its front page and states that the $115 billion project faces the challenge of an ageing workforce pushing up costs.
This is despite the USN taking steps to ensure costs do not spiral out of control through methods such as block buying key components.
The GAO told Shephard that ‘nothing is strictly off the shelf’.
This is due to the nature of SSBNs, meaning commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components cannot be
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration]()
Lockheed Martin confirms 2029 target date for US Navy’s Aegis/PAC-3 MSE integration
Enabling Aegis-equipped vessels to launch PAC-3 MSE interceptors will give the USN more options to engage highly manoeuvrable hypersonic missiles – including the ones China has been developing.
-
![Italy’s U212 Near Future Submarine production builds pace as upgrade plans mature]()
Italy’s U212 Near Future Submarine production builds pace as upgrade plans mature
Andrea Simone Pinna, OCCAR-EA combat system officer for the U212 NFS programme, outlined production progress, new capabilities and plans for the Italian Navy’s next-generation conventional submarine.
-
![Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for naval warfare]()
Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for naval warfare
The 2026 Integrated Investment Program allocates up to A$130 billion for undersea warfare, committing the Royal Australian Navy to nuclear-powered submarines, autonomous platforms and an expanded surface combatant fleet over the next decade.
