As part of the nuclear triad, the USS Wisconsin deters aggression, projecting power silently beneath the waves.
The USS Wisconsin (SSBN-827) represents a pivotal advancement in the United States Navy’s strategic deterrence capabilities. As the second vessel in the cutting-edge Columbia-class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), this nuclear-powered submarine honors the state of Wisconsin while embodying America’s commitment to maritime superiority in an era of great power competition.
What to Know About the Columbia-Class Submarines
Of course, the biggest problem facing the Columbia class is the fact that the United States’ naval shipyard capacity is at a historic low—and there are no significant changes underway that could possibly change this sad reality. In wars, quantity matters far more than quality—and in a major conflict with China, America’s specialized shipyards would quickly find themselves buried under Beijing’s raw industrial capability.
Nevertheless, the Columbia-class submarines, if they ever can be built in a reliable timeline and in the right numbers, are an impressive new system the Americans are developing. And the USS Wisconsin is a representation of an incredible new system the United States Navy could be wielding soon.
With its keel laying ceremony occurring on August 27, 2025, at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island, construction has officially begun, marking a new chapter in naval shipbuilding. The second sub in the Columbia class received the name USS Wisconsin, honoring the US state, in 2020.
The Columbia-Class Submarine’s Specifications
Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, including the USS Wisconsin, are engineered for stealth, endurance, and lethality, making them the backbone of America’s sea-based nuclear deterrent.
- Year Introduced: Not yet introduced (under construction)
- Number Built: 0 (2 under construction; 12 planned)
- Length: 560 ft (170.6 m)
- Beam (Width): 42 ft (12.8 m)
- Displacement: 20,810 tonnes submerged
- Engines: Nuclear reactor
- Top Speed: Unknown; likely 20+ knots (23+ mph) submerged
- Range: Unlimited
- Armaments: 16 vertical launch tubes for Trident II D5 ballistic missiles (carrying up to 96 warheads); torpedo tubes
- Crew: 155
These boats are built collaboratively between General Dynamics Electric Boat (the prime contractor) handling design and assembly in Groton, Conn., while Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding contributes modules. Total program costs are estimated at $347 billion, with each boat averaging around $4.9 billion—reflecting investments in cutting-edge technologies like improved sonar and crew accommodations for a 155-person complement.
The New Submarine Is the Latest in a Long Line of Wisconsins
The tradition of naming vessels after states goes back centuries, and the USS Wisconsin continues this legacy as the third ship to bear the name. The first USS Wisconsin was the pre-dreadnought battleship (BB-9), commissioned in 1901, which served as the flagship of America’s Pacific Fleet and participated in early twentieth century operations in the Far East and Atlantic.
The second ship to bear the Badger State’s name was the iconic Iowa-class battleship (BB-64), which played critical roles in World War II, the Korean War, and even the 1991 Gulf War before it was decommissioned in 1991 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 2006.
In a rare moment of bipartisanship in the fall of 2020, US Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) jointly urged the first Trump administration’s Secretary of Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite to name the second Columbia-class SSBN the USS Wisconsin. The two senators from Wisconsin referenced the Badger State’s rich shipbuilding history, including contributions from yards like the Manitowoc shipyards, which built submarines during World War II.
This decision underscores Wisconsin’s ongoing ties to the US Navy, from its citizens’ service to its industrial prowess. The Columbia-class program, under which the SSBN-827 falls, aims to modernize the fleet with 12 new submarines to replace the 14 Ohio-class boats, with the lead ship, USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), already in early construction since 2020.
Construction of the USS Wisconsin is underway, as the keel laying earlier this week showed. The ceremony featured Dr. Kelly Geurts, as the ship’s sponsor, who authenticated the keel by welding her initials onto a steel plate. Miss America 2023 and Miss Wisconsin 2022, Grace Stanke, read a proclamation from Governor Tony Evers declaring the day “USS Wisconsin SSBN-827 Day.”
Nationally, as part of the nuclear triad, the USS Wisconsin deters aggression, projecting power silently beneath the waves. In an age of rising geopolitical tensions, its capabilities ensure America’s strategic edge.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
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