Keel Laid for USS Wisconsin, Second Columbia‑class Submarine Begins Construction

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 Quonset Point; Second Columbia‑class Boomer Begins Ceremonial Construction

North Kingstown, Rhode Island — On Wednesday, 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 submarine in the Columbia class. The event on August 27 began the shipbuilding milestone that traditionally signifies the first major assembly step for a naval vessel and included the sponsor affixing her initials to a plate that will be mounted aboard the boat.

What the event means and the submarine’s role

The Columbia‑class ballistic missile submarines are being built to replace the aging Ohio class and to serve as the most survivable leg of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. The Columbia class is designed for stealth, modern sensors and an assured second‑strike capability as an undetectable launch platform for submarine‑launched ballistic missiles, commonly called boomers. The vessel now beginning construction is planned as a nuclear‑powered submarine with a submerged displacement of about 20,810 tons, and is expected to enter service around 2031. The program cost for the submarine is currently estimated at $9 billion.

Leadership, sponsor and ceremony details

The keel‑laying featured remarks from the director of the naval nuclear propulsion program, who framed ballistic missile submarines as the backbone of strategic deterrence and emphasized the vessel’s long‑term role in preserving national security. The ceremony included the traditional welding of the sponsor’s initials onto a metal plate. The ceremonial keel authenticator and ship sponsor for SSBN 827 is Dr. Kelly Geurts, a retired educator and military spouse with a long record in inclusion and arts integration. She served as the keel authenticator and was noted for her role with the ship’s community association.

Industry partners and production

Construction of SSBN 827 is underway under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, with Newport News identified as a principal subcontractor. The program draws on a national industrial base of more than 3,000 suppliers, including more than 300 Wisconsin companies providing defense contracting, hardware and software support. Company leadership described the submarine as honoring state maritime history and shipbuilding ties while committing to high‑quality workmanship.

Capabilities and program claims

Program material describes the Columbia class as the quietest and most capable submarines ever built for the U.S., with superior acoustic performance and state‑of‑the‑art sensors. The design will support two alternating crews, traditionally called the Blue and Gold, who will operate and maintain the boat. Officials at the ceremony highlighted the vessel’s deterrent role and stated that its war‑fighting capacity will be significant relative to historic totals.

Community ties, association and public moments

The USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association hosted the keel‑laying and organized watch parties in Wisconsin and Virginia to connect citizens to the new submarine and support educational outreach, naval history promotion, and future crew and family support. The association’s leadership includes veterans and community leaders who emphasized local ties. A public figure with ties to Wisconsin read a proclamation at the event, and the state governor issued an official recognition naming the day in honor of the keel‑laying; he also highlighted expectations that the vessel will patrol quietly in defense of national values for decades.

Public reaction and protests

Several watch parties and related public events drew protests. Demonstrators gathered near some public venues to express opposition to building nuclear‑armed platforms and argued program funds could be redirected toward infrastructure, health, education and housing. Organizers of the protests framed the celebration as endorsing nuclear weapons, while supporters of the construction emphasized national security and long‑term deterrence.

Historical context

The name Wisconsin has a long naval history. Earlier vessels bearing the name included a pre‑dreadnought commissioned in 1901 that later served with U.S. fleets in the early 20th century, and a battleship commissioned in 1944 that saw service in World War II, the Korean War, and was reactivated in 1991 for combat operations. The World War II‑era battleship now serves as a museum ship.

Smaller details and timeline

The keel‑laying took place during a formal ceremony and included the traditional plate welding despite modern submarines having cylindrical hulls; the plate will be permanently mounted in a place of honor. Construction continues at multiple sites, with outfitting and assembly to follow. Once commissioned and delivered, the submarine will join the Columbia class fleet slated to provide continuous at‑sea deterrence for the decades ahead.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Key Features at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Ship name	USS Wisconsin
Hull number	SSBN 827
Class	Columbia‑class ballistic missile submarine
Ceremonial keel‑laying date	August 27 (Wednesday)
Ceremony location	General Dynamics Electric Boat, Quonset Point, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Displacement (submerged)	Approximately 20,810 tons
Power	Nuclear‑powered
Crews	Two rotating crews (Blue and Gold)
Expected in‑service year	2031
Estimated program cost	Approximately $9 billion
Principal builders	General Dynamics Electric Boat; Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News)
Suppliers	More than 3,000 nationwide; over 300 companies in Wisconsin
Ship sponsor	Dr. Kelly Geurts

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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