What is the state of the Navy’s program to develop a follow-on to the current Trident strategic missile submarines—the SSBN(X)? There appears to be two answers: “very good” and “very bad.” 1 The Navy is planning to build 12 SSBN(X) submarines to replace the 14 strategic missile submarines of the Ohio class that are scheduled to be retired at the rate of one per year between Fiscal Years 2027 and 2040. The planned follow-on SSBN(X) submarines would become operational at the same rate beginning about 2029. Thus, from about 2029 to 2041 the projected SSBN force would drop below the goal of 12 submarines.
