The US Navy’s Columbia-class submarine program is likely to encounter further delays and cost overruns due to persistent design and construction challenges.
This is according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), claiming that the construction of the lead submarine alone could exceed initial cost estimates by hundreds of millions of dollars.
In November 2020, the US Navy awarded General Dynamics a $9.5-billion contract to commence construction on the first nuclear submarine in the class.
According to the GAO, the navy failed to ensure that its current investments in bolstering the program’s industrial base fully supported construction goals.
Furthermore, it stated that reports on submarine construction progress did not always include a thorough analysis of why the program missed its planned cost and schedule.
Without realistic cost estimates and adequate analysis, the GAO stated that the program will struggle to address continuing and future risks, further degrading construction performance and causing delivery delays.
The lead submarine was originally scheduled to launch by October 2027, but a potential 16-month delay could push this to February 2029, jeopardizing its planned entry into service in 2030.
Recommendations
The GAO, which has repeatedly flagged the program over schedule and construction challenges, recommended several steps to contain production costs.
First, it urged the Secretary of the Navy to have General Dynamics revise cost estimates to account for all possible program risks.
Additionally, program reporting should include a detailed analysis of these risks, outlining their root causes and potential impacts to construction cost and schedule.
The GAO also recommends ensuring adequate resources and staffing for quality assurance oversight of outsourced work related to the program.