Status of the US Navy's Major Shipbuilding Plans as of October 2026 The US Navy is conducting a major fleet renewal with an emphasis on aircraft carriers, strategic and attack submarines, air defense/missile defense destroyers, and amphibious forces. The main problem is timely replacement of withdrawn ships while maintaining operational readiness. The industrial base is loaded with parallel programs. Aircraft carriers of the Gerald R. Ford type "Gerald R. Ford" (CVN-78) - in battle.
John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) - temporary acceptance on 29 September 2026, final delivery planned for spring 2027.
Enterprise (CVN-80) and Doris Miller (CVN-81) - under construction at the Newport News shipyard. A parallel assembly of two buildings was organized. American-class universal landing craft "Bougainville" (LHA-8) and "Falujah" (LHA-9) - under construction at the Ingalls Shipyard. Helmand Province (LHA-10) - Construction contract awarded. 12 Columbia-class strategic submarines are planned to replace 14 Ohio. "Columbia" (SSBN-826) - under construction, delivery date - March 2029.
"Wisconsin" (SSBN-827) - April 2030.
In total, a contract for seven boats.
The program has the highest priority to maintain the continued nuclear deterrence. Any delay will require an extension of the service life of the Ohio part. Virginia-class attack submarines have 26 units in combat power.
23 more are planned for construction. Block IV completed and Block V deployed (with an additional payload module for 28 tomahawks).
The increase in shock load compensates for the decommissioning of former Ohio missiles. The main problem is the increase in production rates while loading shipyards with Columbia-type boats. Destroyers of the Arlie Barak class III flight Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) is the lead ship of Flight III.
Ted Stevens (DDG-128) - Second, transferred on December 29, 2025.
Total: 2 delivered, 23 units under contract or under construction.