US Navy delays next-gen attack submarine SSN(X) program to 2040 amid budget constraints.

The U.S. Navy has announced a delay in its Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) program, pushing the first procurement from Fiscal Year (FY) 2035 to FY2040. This decision stems from budgetary pressures, prompting concerns over the Navy's ability to maintain its undersea dominance as global threats evolve.
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Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware. (Picture source: US DoD)

The SSN[X] is envisioned as a successor to the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, which have been in production since 1998. While the Virginia-class submarines are equipped with advanced payload modules, the SSN[X] is designed to deliver superior capabilities, integrating the speed and payload of the Seawolf-class, the acoustic stealth of the Virginia-class, and the operational longevity of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. The ambitious design is expected to result in a larger and more advanced submarine, with technological features aimed at countering near-peer adversaries such as China and Russia.

The program faces significant budgetary and industrial challenges. Estimates from the Congressional Budget Office suggest a cost between $6.7 billion and $8.0 billion per unit, higher than the Navy’s projections. These financial challenges, combined with the extended timeline, risk creating a gap in the U.S. submarine construction industrial base, which relies on two primary shipyards: General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding. Maintaining workforce readiness and supply chains during this period will be critical.

Strategically, the SSN[X] is intended to ensure the U.S. Navy remains ahead in underwater warfare capabilities. The submarine’s design focuses on enhanced speed, greater payload capacity, and the ability to integrate with unmanned systems and off-hull platforms. However, the procurement delay raises questions about the Navy’s ability to sustain its undersea superiority, particularly as adversaries continue to advance their technologies.

The program also faces debate over the type of nuclear fuel to be used. While low-enriched uranium could align with nonproliferation goals, the Navy has emphasized the disadvantages of transitioning away from the highly enriched uranium used in its current fleet. Concerns include reduced reactor endurance, increased costs, and longer development timelines, with estimates suggesting a transition could take decades and cost billions.

Congress is likely to scrutinize the program closely, given its potential impact on other Navy priorities and its high costs. While the Navy requested $586.9 million in research and development funding for FY2025, this represents a reduction from earlier projections, reflecting the delayed timeline. Some lawmakers have proposed further reductions, citing program delays and cost uncertainties.