The Navy’s upcoming attack submarines have been in the pipeline for over 15 years, based on a recent report. Initially, the SSN(x) was set to start production in 2031, then pushed back to 2035, and now it’s looking at 2040, largely due to rising costs and budget limitations.
In its 2026 budget, the Navy is asking for $623 million to push the program forward. This new class of submarines is expected to focus on stealth capabilities, intelligence gathering, larger torpedo loads, and improved connections with unmanned underwater vehicles.
The report highlights concerns that delays might jeopardize U.S. underwater dominance and hinder essential mission executions. Projected to weigh around 10,000 tons, the SSN(x) is estimated to cost between $6.7 billion and $8 billion per unit, which is notably higher compared to the $4 billion price tag of Virginia-class submarines, which have been operational since 1998. While the Navy aims to build more submarines each year, actual production has slowed to about 1.2 to 1.4 units annually, resulting in a backlog of submarines ready for construction.
In 2025, the Navy plans to request just one Virginia-class submarine due to production limitations. Notably, only two shipyards, Electric Boat and Newport News, can produce nuclear-powered submarines.
The report suggests lawmakers assess the effects of delays on industrial bases and whether transitioning from enriched uranium reactors to low-enriched uranium might offer financial or safety advantages.
Currently, the Navy aims to grow its fleet from 296 to 381 ships in the coming years, but experts caution that significant industrial growth is necessary to meet these goals. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, the Navy’s assistant secretary for research, development, and acquisitions, Brett A. Seidl, commented, “Costs are increasing beyond inflation, and various programs face delays of one to three years.”
Despite having nearly doubled its shipbuilding budget over the last two decades, the Navy has struggled to meet its production targets. The government’s Accountability Office indicated that the Navy operates its shipbuilding programs in what amounts to a “permanent state of triage.”
Recently, Sen. Rosa Delauro, a key Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, urged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegges for plans to enhance shipbuilding capabilities. “I want your plan. Can we get it in writing and on paper? Because we have nothing today—zip, nada,” she said. Heggs responded, “There are details.”
