Keel Laid for USS Wisconsin, Second Columbia‑class Submarine Begins Construction

Keel Laying Marks Start of USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Construction at Quonset Point

The ceremonial keel‑laying for USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) was held on August 27 at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. This event signals the official start of construction for the submarine, which will be the second member of the Columbia‑class of ballistic missile submarines, following the as‑yet‑named District of Columbia.

Columbia‑class submarines are being designed to replace the Navy’s aging Ohio‑class ballistic missile submarines, also known as “boomers”. These submarines provide a stealthy, undetectable platform for submarine‑launched ballistic missiles and are intended to be the most survivable leg of the nation’s nuclear triad, offering an assured second‑strike capability that underpins strategic deterrence.

The head of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program delivered the keynote at the ceremony, emphasizing that the submarine’s twin aims are stealth and deterrence. The speaker described the Virginia‑and‑Rhode Island construction effort as a foundation for security that will endure for generations. The message conveyed that the Wisconsin will be built to carry on the tradition of quiet strength and credible defense, with the keel laid not as a final step but as the first major milestone in a long construction process.

At the ceremony, the traditional sponsor welded her initials onto a plate intended for permanent display on the submarine. Because ballistic missile submarines have round hulls and no dedicated keel, the plate will be mounted in a place of honor on the vessel. The keel authenticator is identified as a veteran educator with a long history of involvement in inclusion and educational access, who described the role as a profound honor.

The USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association organized and hosted the keel laying. Its goals include connecting Wisconsin residents with their namesake submarine, promoting naval history, supporting educational initiatives, and promoting the Silent Service’s mission. A former Navy captain, now president of the Association, highlighted the deep ties between Wisconsin shipbuilders and the U.S. Navy, and stressed the importance of excellence in the ongoing construction effort.

The ceremony drew attention beyond the shipyard. Watch parties were held across Wisconsin and in Virginia, with participants observing the start of construction. Some gatherings featured protests, with critics arguing that funds could be better spent on infrastructure, health, education, and housing. The event also touched on local pride, with Wisconsin officials issuing proclamations that designated the keel laying day to honor the state’s maritime heritage and shipbuilding ties to the Navy.

Wisconsin’s role in the program extends beyond symbolism. The submarine is being built under a manufacturing teaming arrangement between Electric Boat (Groton, Connecticut) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News, Virginia). Newport News Shipbuilding is a principal subcontractor, and the effort involves more than 3,000 suppliers nationwide, including roughly 300 Wisconsin‑based defense contractors providing design, hardware, and software support.

The Wisconsin is planned to have a submerged displacement of about 20,810 tons, and it will be nuclear‑powered. It will operate with two crews, conventionally referred to as the Blue and Gold crews, who will take turns operating and maintaining the submarine. Promises have been made about its capabilities, noting improvements in acoustic performance and sensors that aim to make it among the quietest and most capable submarines ever built.

Officials project an in‑service date around 2031 and estimate a program cost near $9 billion. The keel laying is framed as a long‑term investment in national security, with officials describing the process as critical to maintaining the country’s deterrent posture while supporting a broad base of U.S. industry and naval personnel.

Key context for readers

The keel laying marks the ceremonial start of construction for a submarine designed to provide a robust, stealthy, second‑strike capability. The ship’s design emphasizes survivability, precision, and power, with a focus on long‑term deterrence and security. The program ties together multiple shipyards, a large network of suppliers, and a regional industrial ecosystem that includes a significant slice of Wisconsin‑based participation.

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