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US Navy Delays Next-Gen Nuclear Submarine Project Amid Budget Issues
The US Navy's new nuclear-powered attack submarine, known as SSNX, is facing delays, with the first hull now expected to be ordered in the early 2040s. This information was highlighted in a recent report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) sent to Congress, raising concerns about the impact of these delays on U.S. undersea dominance and industrial capabilities. Initially set to begin procurement in 2031, the timeline for the SSNX has already been pushed back to 2035, and now to 2040.
The CRS attributes this shift to funding limitations and the challenge of managing multiple naval projects at once. During the discussions regarding the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Navy officially postponed the start of development to 2040 due to overall budget pressures. In the latest Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, the Navy has requested nearly $623 million to continue research and development for the submarine. However, despite this investment, the revised schedule remains unchanged.
The SSNX is being designed to exceed the capabilities of the existing Virginia, Seawolf, and Columbia-class submarines. It will boast advanced stealth technology, a larger payload capacity—especially in the torpedo room—higher speed, a longer service life, and the ability to conduct full-spectrum undersea warfare. Additionally, the submarine will enhance unmanned systems and utilize both acoustic and non-acoustic technologies to minimize detection.
When compared to the Virginia-class submarines, the SSNX will be significantly larger, with a submerged displacement of over 10,100 tons, while the Virginia class weighs in at 7,800 tons. The estimated cost for each submarine is projected to be between $7.1 billion and $8.7 billion. However, these top-tier features mean that the project is complicated, expensive, and slow-moving.
The CRS has cautioned that these delays could severely impact the Navy's ability to maintain undersea superiority, especially in an era where global naval competition is intensifying. The report indicated that U.S. sea power and warfighting capabilities might suffer if the Navy cannot adapt to emerging threats.
Even the Navy has acknowledged these challenges. In its FY 2025 budget proposal, it noted that the gap between the completion of the Columbia-class submarine design and the start of SSNX development presents a significant issue for the submarine design industrial base. This lengthy pause risks losing skilled workers, disrupting supply chains, and undermining the shipbuilding infrastructure necessary to keep long-term projects on track.
The SSNX is being planned as a combination of the best features from current submarine classes. Its stealth capabilities are expected to align with those of the Virginia class, while its attack speed will resemble that of the Seawolf class. It is anticipated to possess the durability and versatility of the Columbia class, which is currently also facing delays. The Columbia-class submarines, aimed at replacing aging ballistic missile submarines, are now projected to be delivered two years later than planned, in 2029.
Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) described the Navy's shipbuilding program as being in a constant state of triage, where one delay often triggers a domino effect of setbacks across various projects. Despite these hurdles, the Navy remains optimistic that the SSNX will ultimately become its most advanced attack submarine, equipped with the speed, stealth, endurance, and autonomous features required for future missions.
