How the Navy’s New Columbia-class Submarine Will Save the World
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By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy is built on a triad of land, air, and sea-based nuclear capabilities. The Air Force maintains the land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles, while the Navy is responsible for the sea-based weaponry.
In the event of a nuclear conflict, an enemy’s first strike could potentially incapacitate the U.S.’s ground and air-launched systems. However, the U.S.’s deterrence strategy remains robust due to its sea-based systems, which ensure a second-strike capability – the capacity to retaliate.
As Navy Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe Jr., director for strategic systems, puts it, “From the adversary’s viewpoint, regardless of their initial strike plans, our ballistic missile submarine force is always vigilant, patrolling undisclosed locations. If needed, they are survivable and can guarantee a retaliatory strike from our nation. This is absolutely vital when considering the concept of deterrence.”
Wolfe, alongside Air Force Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, presented these insights during a Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing. Over the past year, the Navy has made significant strides in modernizing its portion of the U.S. nuclear triad. Wolfe highlighted that the U.S. Navy has made significant strides in its deterrence capabilities, including successful tests for Ohio-class submarines and the creation of a dedicated office for the sea-launched cruise missile, SLCM-N.
The SLCM-N, a sea-launched cruise missile with nuclear capabilities, can be deployed from surface ships and attack submarines, diverging from the traditional ballistic missile submarines. Wolfe acknowledged to senators that the industrial base primarily responsible for constructing the SLCM-N has deteriorated, posing a challenge to its revival.
Despite obstacles such as a diminished industrial base and supply chain issues, Wolfe emphasized the Navy’s commitment to advancing the modernization of its segment of the nuclear triad. “Our primary obligation is to maintain the current Trident II D5LE missile inventory and provide the necessary operational support to sustain Ohio-class submarines until their retirement in the early 2040s,” he declared.
