The lead Columbia-class submarine is approximately one-third complete and remains ahead of its official 84-month delivery schedule, while supply chain challenges continue to delay Virginia construction, according to General Dynamics executives. “The Navy has clearly articulated and firmly articulated that we are ahead of the contract schedule. The contract schedule is what matters,” CEO Phebe Novakovic told investors of the Columbia program during the company’s first-quarter earnings call today. In March, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro told lawmakers the lead...