General Dynamics Electric Boat wins Virginia-class submarine supply contract
Manufacture of Virginia-class SSNs is continuing rapidly. (Photo: GDEB)
General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has been awarded a $517.2 million delivery order against a previously issued basic agreement for procurement and delivery of initial Virginia-class attack submarine spare parts to support maintenance availabilities.
The Virginia-class SSNs are fitted with the latest sensors and weapons, giving them an exceptional capability for sea control, land attack, electronic warfare and special operations. Around 48 submarines are planned, with a total of 38 currently ordered. Twenty-one have been delivered in multiple blocks and are built by both GDEB and HII.
In late October 2021, Shephard reported that GDEB had been awarded a $269 million contract modification by the US DoD for the continued design, development and lead-year support activities associated with the submarines.
In March 2021 GDEB received a $2.42 billion contract modification to build a tenth Block V Virginia-class for the USN with a planned completion date of February 2030.
As contracts roll in for both companies, the programme rolls on with GDEB laying the keel for the 32nd of class, USS Tang, on 17 August and HII Newport News Shipbuilding laying the keel for 29th of class, USS Oklahoma, earlier the same month.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement]()
Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement
As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.
-
![Gulf tensions force Western navies to confront mine warfare shortfalls]()
Gulf tensions force Western navies to confront mine warfare shortfalls
The conversion of RFA Lyme Bay comes during signs that European navies may once again need to cooperate on Gulf mine clearance operations.
-
![US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026]()
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.
