US Navy submarines to wield nuclear cruise missiles after 4-decade gap
The US Navy is set to make an important acquisition decision in Fiscal Year 2026 to procure next-generation nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM-N), with operational delivery expected by 2034.
Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, who leads the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs, confirmed the timeline during a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.
The missile, designed to be launched from Virginia-class attack submarines, has become one of Wolfe’s top three strategic priorities.
“We’ve already done an industry day,” Wolfe said, indicating early engagement with defense contractors.
Nuclear cruise missiles
The program is in its architectural design phase, focusing on integrating missile systems, launch hardware, submarine compatibility, warhead design, and training infrastructure.
Wolfe said that the SLCM-N’s development requires “careful balancing of resources,” particularly to ensure it does not disrupt existing submarine operations.
The Navy is working closely with US Strategic Command and Indo-Pacific Command to finalize a concept of operations that minimizes the impact on attack boats.
The missile will give the president a survivable second-strike nuclear capability, Wolfe pointed out in both his oral and written testimony.
“Over the last year, the SLCM-N program has focused on understanding and determining the weapon system’s architectures,” he said, highlighting the wide scope of work underway, from telemetry and test equipment to platform and warhead integration.
Congress is backing the program with serious funding. The current $150 billion defense bill proposal includes $2 billion for missile development and $400 million for its nuclear warhead.
Technical aspects
In November, the Navy issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) to industry, outlining requirements for a modular and resilient system.
The missile will follow an “All Up Round” configuration, consisting of a booster, cruise missile, and launch canister, compatible with Virginia Payload Tubes (VPT) and Virginia Payload Modules (VPM).
The Navy also wants the system to be “as modular as possible,” meaning hardware or software upgrades should not require major changes to the missile’s nuclear components.
The open-system design approach supports future technology upgrades throughout the program’s life.
Sea-launched nuclear cruise missiles are not new to the US Navy. In the 1980s, the TLAM-N, a nuclear version of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, was deployed on surface ships and submarines, with a range of approximately 1554 miles (2,500 kilometers).
After four decades
However, the TLAM-N was withdrawn from service in 1992 following President George HW Bush’s decision to remove tactical nuclear weapons from ships.
Though the Navy kept the option to reintroduce TLAM-N, the Obama administration formally retired the system in 2013, considering it unnecessary.
The Trump administration reversed course in its 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, calling for developing a new SLCM-N to bolster deterrence against regional threats and assure allies of the US nuclear commitment.
Wolfe updated several key programs, including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. These submarines will replace the old Ohio-class fleet.
“With their advanced capabilities, the Columbia-class SSBN and its TRIDENT SWS represent a big improvement in our undersea defense,” he said.
The reintroduction of the SLCM-N is an important change in US nuclear policy. It aims to strengthen regional defense by providing a flexible and safe option that operates underwater.