Launched in 1983, so we've had it for 37 years.

At $3 billion a pop, that's $30 million per patrol.

Maybe by 2020 standard that's a shit ton on money that could go to schools and healthcare and whatnot, but seems like when it was ordered in 1977, at the height of the cold war, A hundred deterrent patrol at $30 million per, based on what I remember as a kid the tension around that time, probably seems like a bargain.

I'm just a civilian, but spending 110 billion for 12 replacement Columbia class seems...unnecessary. 6 seems plenty?

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Here is a question for you guy who knows these things: Based on today's threats (China and Russian SSBNs...any others?) How many boats do we realistically need to have enough credible deterrent? Technically one is all you need, but that means if it is sunk you are SOL. On the other hand having 100 is clearly out of the question. Once we have the bare minimum on patrol, what is the rotation like (how many in port for maintenance / refit per boat out on patrol?). Is 12 Columbia class too many / adequate? not enough?