The USS Columbia, one of the last of the Los Angeles (688) class, fast-attack nuclear powered submarines, is named for Columbia, IL, Columbia, MO, and Columbia, SC. It was built by the Electric Boat Co., a division of General Dynamic Inc.

The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Columbia (SSN 771) on Monday, October 9, 1995 at the North Lake Naval Base at New London, CT. Columbia, IL Mayor Les Schneider was on the commissioning platform with other civilian dignitaries from the namesake cities. They were joined by officials of the federal government, the Navy and the Electric Boat Co., the boat's contractor. Delegations also represented the other namesake cities. The USS Columbia was christened by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday, September 24, 1994. Only two more Los Angeles class submarines were built, the Uss Greenville (SSN-772) and Uss Cheyenne (SSN-773).

COLUMBIA was built with state-of-the art SEAWOLF technology. Application of this technology made this ship one of the most modern submarines in the world at its time of christening. Both construction methods and computerization made COLUMBIA stand out as a unique submarine platform among the 688 improved class at the time. This submarine was one of the most versatile weapons platforms ever placed in the world's oceans in 1994, capable of long range Tomahawk strike operations, anti-submarine and surface shipping operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering, and special forces insertions.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 6,000 t., Submerged: 6.927 t.; Length 360'; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 25 kts, Submerged 30+ kts; Depth limit 950'; Complement 129; Armament, four 21" torpedo  tubes aft of bow, Harpoon and Tomahawk ASM/LAM missiles from 12 VLS tubes, MK-48 torpedoes; Combat Systems, AN/BPS-5 surface search radar, AN/BPS-15 A/16 navigation and fire control radar, TB-16D passive towed sonar arrays, TB-23 passive "thin line" towed array, AN/BQG-5D wide aperture flank array, AN/BQQ-5D/E low frequency spherical sonar array, AN/BQS-15 close range active sonar (for ice detection); MIDAS Mine and Ice Detection Avoidance System, SADS-TG active detection sonar, Type 2 attack periscope (port), Type 18 search periscope (starboard), AN/BSY-1 (primary computer); UYK-7; UYK-43; UYK-44, WLR-9 Acoustic Intercept Receiver, ESM; Propulsion System, S6G nuclear reactor one propeller at 35,000 shp. Improved Performance Machinery Program Phase I [on 688 Improved].

 A view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) on the launching way just prior to the ship's christening, 24 Sep 1994. The Columbia was the last Los Angeles class attack submarine to be built at the E.B. Shipyard.

 Columbia (SSN-771) enters the water for the first time, 24 September 1994.