Navy Submarine Czar Sets 2028 Target for First Columbia-Class Boat

Overview

• Vice Adm. Rob Gaucher said delivering the first Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine, District of Columbia, in Fiscal Year 2028 is a life-or-death imperative.
• He said all policies are on the table and risk is authorized, with quality and safety not compromised.
• Gaucher now holds a dual role that reports directly to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, a setup meant to speed decisions on requirements, contracting, safety and technical issues.
• He assigned three senior deputies with clear lanes: Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker for new construction, Rear Adm. Todd Weeks for the industrial base and in‑service boats, and Rear Adm. Douglas Adams for AUKUS.
• Restoring Virginia-class output is a parallel push, with builders at about 1.4 boats a year versus the 2.33 the Navy says it needs for AUKUS, far higher labor hours per boat than a decade ago, and a projected need for roughly 100,000 more shipyard workers.