Electric Boat continues development studies for Virginia class
Programme deliveries are just over 50% complete
General Dynamics Electric Boat is to conduct additional FY2021 development studies and design efforts for Virginia-class submarines, under a $25.05 million contract modification from US Naval Sea Systems Command.
Nineteen Virginia-class boats have been delivered and a further 18 are on order, with delivery of the first Block V submarine planned for FY2025 and construction of Block VI boats to begin in 2024.
A follow-on ‘Improved Virginia-class’ or SSN(X) is expected to follow in the 2030s that could include a further 20-30 boats, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
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