USS Virginia. (Photo: USN/Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Myers)
General Dynamics Electric Boat has obtained a $482.11 million contract modification from Naval Sea Systems Command for ‘lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia-class submarines [SSNs]’, the DoD announced on 8 October.
Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (96%); Newport News, Virginia (3%); and Newport and Quonset, Rhode Island (1%), and is expected to be completed by October 2022.
Half of the 38 Virginia-class boats on order have been delivered to the USN, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
The USN on 1 October reorganised its Programme Executive Offices (PEOs) for submarines.
PEO Attack Submarines (SSN), formally PEO Submarines, will consolidate USN attack submarine platform acquisition, development, and sustainment under one office.
PEO SSN head RADM David Goggins said that aligning Virginia-class construction efforts under the new PEO would enable 'more effective planning' for the lifetime of the class and allow a smoother transition from construction to in-service for the class.
The A$4 billion Landing Craft Heavy contract for Austal follows on from a A$1 billion deal in December for Landing Craft Medium ships, but the Australian government has made it clear that a contract for Mogami frigates is reliant on the success of these two contracts.
As part of the Runway Independent Maritime & Expeditionary Strike programme, the US Navy is pursuing drones capable of delivering palletised rounds or 1,000lb-class munitions.
Havelsan, VN Maritime and Piloda Defence will collaborate to develop and integrate a range of maritime solutions with a view to secure a first procurement contract in Italy in the first half of this year.
Export campaigns for Fincantieri’s submarines and frigates are central to the company’s ambitions as billions of dollars in unawarded contracts come into focus.
The USCG recently announced the award of a contract to Davie Defense for the supply of five ASCs, marking a major step in the acquisition programme as the US grows its presence in the Arctic.
As Russia commits billions to new warships and stealth submarines, the UK is reshaping its strategy with expanded troop deployments, shared frigate fleets and a shift towards uncrewed platforms.
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