Quonset Point, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, August 31, 2025
News Summary
A ceremonial keel‑laying at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility marked the formal start of construction for USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), the second Columbia‑class ballistic missile submarine. The event included a sponsor authenticator plate, remarks from naval leadership and participation by shipbuilder partners. The Columbia‑class will replace the Ohio‑class fleet and serve as the sea‑based leg of the nuclear deterrent, drawing on a nationwide industrial base of thousands of suppliers. The ceremony prompted community watch parties and some protests. Fabrication and assembly will continue across multiple shipyards and supplier sites through the program lifecycle.
Keel Laid for USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) at Electric Boat’s Quonset Point as Second Columbia-class Sub Begins Construction
The keel-laying ceremony for USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) took place on August 27, 2025 at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. This event marks the ceremonial start of construction for the submarine, one of the first steps in delivering a new era of strategic deterrence.
Columbia-class submarines are the planned replacement for the Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. These vessels are designed to be exceptionally stealthy and capable of withstanding enemy detection, serving as a robust, undisclosed platform for submarine‑launched ballistic missiles. The USS Wisconsin is identified as the second member of this class, following the initial District of Columbia program entry, and it will join the fleet as part of a long-term effort to sustain the nation’s second‑strike capability.
The submarine is projected to be a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine with a submerged displacement of about 20,810 tons. It will operate with two crews, traditionally referred to as the Blue and Gold crews, who will rotate duty to keep the vessel at a high state of readiness while maintaining continuous operations at sea. The ship is planned to be delivered with advanced sensors and superior acoustic performance aimed at reducing detectability and enhancing its effectiveness as a deterrent asset.
The program anticipates an in-service date of 2031 and assigns an estimated program cost of roughly $9 billion. Construction is conducted through a manufacturing teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat (Groton, Connecticut) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News, Virginia), with Newport News Shipbuilding identified as a principal subcontractor. The effort involves more than 3,000 suppliers from across the United States, including about 300 Wisconsin suppliers contributing to the design and development of the Columbia-class submarines.
The keel-laying ceremony included the traditional sponsor element, with the vessel’s sponsor authenticator initiating the process by welding initials onto a plate that will be permanently mounted on the submarine. The sponsor is Dr. Kelly Geurts, described as a retired educator with a long career in inclusion and education, and as a military spouse. The keel-laying event was hosted by the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association, whose objectives include connecting Wisconsin residents to their namesake submarine, promoting naval history, supporting educational initiatives, and reinforcing the Silent Service’s mission.
The event drew broad participation across local and state communities. A number of watch parties were held in Wisconsin and Virginia to observe the keel laying, with public interest reflecting both support for national defense and concerns about defense spending in relation to other public needs. The Wisconsin governor issued a proclamation naming August 27 as U.S.S. Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Keel Laying Day, acknowledging the submarine’s potential to serve the country in a manner described as patrolling the depths in defense of freedom and values for decades to come.
In the broader context, the program continues ongoing collaborations with multiple shipyards and suppliers to deliver the Columbia-class fleet. The project is positioned as a critical component of national defense, with emphasis on the backbone of strategic deterrence and the ability to deter war through strength. The keel-laying ceremony is a milestone in a long manufacturing and testing process intended to deliver a vessel capable of sustaining a robust and survivable leg of the nuclear triad for generations.
In addition to the technical and strategic dimensions, the project has included historical reflections on prior ships named Wisconsin, underscoring a lineage of naval construction and service. The keel-laying event is described as a moment that connects past Wisconsin shipbuilding heritage with a modern, enduring pledge of national security.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of keel laying? It marks the ceremonial start of construction for a vessel and formalizes the transition from design to the physical build process.
- What is the Columbia class? A class of ballistic missile submarines intended to replace the Ohio-class fleet, designed for stealth and survivability to support second‑strike deterrence.
- When is USS Wisconsin expected to enter service? The vessel is planned to enter service in 2031.
- How many crews will operate the submarine? Two rotating crews, commonly referred to as the Blue and Gold crews, will operate and maintain the submarine.
- How many suppliers are involved, and where are they located? The construction involves more than 3,000 suppliers nationwide, including about 300 from Wisconsin.
- What is the approximate displacement? The submarine has a submerged displacement of about 20,810 tons.
- What is the estimated program cost? The estimated cost is about $9 billion.
- Who is the sponsor authenticating the keel? Dr. Kelly Geurts serves as the keel authenticator and sponsor for the event.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Submarine | USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) |
| Class | Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine |
| Role | Undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles; primary deterrence asset |
| Displacement | Approximately 20,810 tons submerged |
| Propulsion | Nuclear-powered |
| Crew | Two crews, Blue and Gold |
| In-service target | 2031 |
| Estimated cost | $9 billion |
| Construction partners | General Dynamics Electric Boat; Huntington Ingalls Industries; Newport News Shipbuilding (principal subcontractor) |
| Suppliers | More than 3,000 nationwide; about 300 from Wisconsin |
| Sponsor/authenticator | Dr. Kelly Geurts |
| Keel date | August 27, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- TurnTo10: General Dynamics Electric Boat to lay keel of submarine Aug. 27, 2025
- Wikipedia: Columbia-class submarine
- WMTV: USS Wisconsin keel‑laying ceremony brings celebration, protests
- Wikipedia: USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827)
- WBAY: People gather at Wisconsin Maritime Museum to watch keel‑laying ceremony
- Google Search: USS Wisconsin keel laying
- The Providence Journal: Submarine Wisconsin keel‑laying (video)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Columbia-class submarine
- Baird Maritime: Keel laid for future US Navy submarine Wisconsin
- Google Scholar: Columbia-class submarine
