2017 GAO Report on Columbia Class Submarine Risks

This GAO report was in response to House Report 114-102 which included a provision for GAO to examine the Columbia class program risks.

The report identified that additional development and testing are required to demonstrate the maturity of several Columbia class submarine technologies that are critical to performance, including the Integrated Power System, nuclear reactor, common missile compartment, and propulsor and related coordinated stern technologies (see figure). As a result, it is unknown at this point whether they will work as expected, be delayed, or cost more than planned. Any unexpected delays could postpone the deployment of the lead submarine past the 2031 deadline.