The Navy plans to extend the service life of the ballistic missile submarine Alaska (SSBN-732), the first of five Ohio-class boats that could receive life extensions to reduce the risk of gaps appearing in the fleet as next-generation Columbia-class submarines come online. Alaska is expected to begin an 18-month pre-inactivation restricted availability, or PIRA, in fiscal year 2029 to lengthen the vessel’s service life by three years, according to Rear Adm. Scott Pappano, the program executive officer for strategic submarines...
