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
August 27 saw a ceremonial keel‑laying at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, marking the formal start of construction for the submarine USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827). The event was organized by the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association and hosted by the shipbuilder, drawing local attention, community watch parties and some public protests.
What happened and why it matters
The keel‑laying is a naval tradition that ceremonially recognizes the beginning of a ship’s construction. For SSBN 827 — identified as the second Columbia‑class ballistic missile submarine following the future USS District of Columbia — the ceremony included the sponsor welding her initials onto a plate that will be permanently mounted aboard the submarine.
This class of submarines will replace the Navy’s aging Ohio‑class ballistic missile fleet and serve as the sea‑based leg of the nuclear deterrent. Ballistic missile submarines, commonly called boomers, are designed to operate undetected and provide an assured second‑strike capability. Navy leadership at the event stressed that these boats are intended to be the most survivable element of the nation’s nuclear triad and foundational to strategic deterrence.
Key officials and ship sponsor
The ceremony featured remarks from the head of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, who framed the keel as the starting backbone from which the submarine will be assembled and emphasized the platform’s role in deterrence and long‑term security. The ship’s ceremonial keel authenticator and sponsor is Dr. Kelly Geurts, a retired educator and military spouse, who served in the sponsor role during the event.
Construction, partners and industrial reach
SSBN 827 is being built under a manufacturing teaming arrangement led by General Dynamics Electric Boat, with a major subcontractor role held by Newport News Shipbuilding. The program draws on a nationwide industrial base of more than 3,000 suppliers, including over 300 companies from Wisconsin supporting design, hardware and software work.
The program envisions a nuclear‑powered submarine with a planned submerged displacement of roughly 20,810 tons. The boat will be crewed by two rotating crews, traditionally called the Blue and Gold crews. Program planners expect the vessel to enter service around 2031, with an estimated program cost in the neighborhood of $9 billion.
Design claims and capabilities
At the ceremony, officials described the Columbia‑class boats as being designed for superior acoustic performance and fitted with advanced sensors to make them among the quietest and most capable submarines built to date. Remarks at the event also framed the class as carrying a powerful payload to ensure strategic credibility over decades of service.
Civic ties, history and community events
The USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association leads outreach linking citizens of Wisconsin to the submarine that bears their state’s name. The association’s stated goals include promoting naval history, supporting educational initiatives, and aiding future crews and families. The keel‑laying prompted watch parties across Wisconsin and in Virginia, several of which were organized or supported by the association.
Ceremony participants noted historical ties to earlier ships named Wisconsin, including a pre‑dreadnought battleship commissioned in the early 1900s and the World War II‑era battleship now preserved as a museum ship. These earlier vessels have been cited in remarks explaining the choice of name and the continuity of naval service tied to the state.
Public response and protests
Alongside official events, some public protests took place. Demonstrators gathered near a veterans museum in the state capital to object to the celebration of nuclear weapons and to urge that federal funds be redirected toward infrastructure, health, education and housing. Organizers of the protests described their actions as opposition to the financial and moral priorities they associate with the program.
Next steps
With the ceremonial keel authenticated, fabrication and assembly work will continue at shipyards and partner facilities across the country. The program will remain a long‑term national construction effort involving thousands of workers, multiple shipyards and hundreds of suppliers.
Reporting note
The keel‑laying event took place on a Wednesday and included participation from naval leadership, shipbuilders, the ship sponsor, association leaders and community members.
FAQ
What is a keel‑laying ceremony?
A keel‑laying is a traditional naval ceremony that marks the formal start of a ship’s construction. For modern submarines with rounded hulls, a plated authenticator bearing the sponsor’s initials is commonly mounted aboard.
What is USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827)?
USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) is the second Columbia‑class ballistic missile submarine currently under construction. It is a nuclear‑powered vessel designed to replace Ohio‑class boats and to serve as a stealthy sea‑based leg of the nuclear deterrent.
Who is building the submarine?
The lead shipbuilder is General Dynamics Electric Boat, working in a teaming arrangement with Huntington Ingalls Industries and Newport News Shipbuilding as a major subcontractor. The program relies on thousands of suppliers nationwide.
When will the submarine enter service?
The current plan anticipates in‑service date around 2031, subject to program schedules and testing milestones.
What are the submarine’s key specifications?
The vessel is described as nuclear‑powered with an expected submerged displacement of about 20,810 tons and will operate with two rotating crews. Program cost estimates for the individual boat are near $9 billion.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ship name | USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) |
| Class | Columbia‑class (second boat) |
| Role | Ballistic missile submarine (sea‑based nuclear deterrent) |
| Keel‑laying date | August 27 |
| Location | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Quonset Point, North Kingstown, Rhode Island |
| Planned submerged displacement | 20,810 tons |
| Propulsion | Nuclear‑powered |
| Crewing | Two rotating crews (Blue and Gold) |
| Estimated in‑service date | 2031 |
| Estimated program cost | $9 billion (approx.) |
| Lead builder / partners | General Dynamics Electric Boat with Huntington Ingalls Industries / Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Industrial base | More than 3,000 suppliers nationwide; over 300 suppliers from Wisconsin |
| Ship sponsor | Dr. Kelly Geurts (retired educator, military spouse) |
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
Author: Construction FL News
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