A $1.85 billion contract was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat to begin early production and acquire crucial components for future Virginia-class submarines for the US Navy.
The goal of the effort is to maintain the submarine program on course and make sure suppliers are prepared for future production needs. The Virginia-class submarine program, which began in 1998, has acquired 40 submarines to date, with 16 still being built or waiting delivery and 24 currently in operation.
The Virginia-class submarines are taking the place of the Los Angeles-class ships, which are getting old, and are intended for operations in both coastal and open waters. Recently, General Dynamics Electric Boat reached significant milestones in support of the Virginia-class submarine program.
The firm won a $12.4 billion deal in May to construct two more Block V Virginia-class attack submarines, the SSN-812 (USS Baltimore) and the SSN-813 (USS Atlanta).
The 24th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine in the US Navy fleet, the sixth with the Block IV configuration, which has more torpedo tubes and an enhanced missile launch system, was put into service in April.
General Dynamics was awarded a $1.06 billion contract in March to start buying long-lead items for Block VI submarines.
