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Breaking News: US Navy starts construction of second Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wisconsin

On August 27, 2025, General Dynamics Electric Boat held the keel laying of the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) at its Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island, aligning the ceremony with the submarine’s hull number date of 8/27. The keel laying was authenticated when Ship Sponsor Dr. Kelly Geurts welded her initials onto a steel plate, assisted by Electric Boat welder Robert Ray Jr., a 49-year employee of the yard. The event symbolized the formal start of construction for the second Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, following the lead boat USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826). Multiple watch parties were held in Wisconsin, including at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, enabling residents to participate in the milestone despite the construction being located in New England. Read full defense news at this link...

The Columbia-class will be the largest submarine class ever built by the United States, with a length of 171 meters (560 feet), a beam of 13 meters (43 feet), and a submerged displacement of 20,810 long tons, equivalent to roughly 22,000 tons. (Picture source: US DoD)



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