General Dynamics awarded $1.3 billion for Virginia submarines
GD is the prime contractor and builds them with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). (Photo: GD)
General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has received US$1.3 billion to order long lead items for Virginia-class Block VI nuclear fast-attack submarines and follows on from similar orders earlier this year.
It is expected that between 11 and 13 boats will be ordered in Block VI starting with SSN 812 and it is likely this is the last long lead contract to be placed before construction contracts are awarded. SSN 812 up to SSN 822 are expected to have a total value of $53.9 billion.
In February, GDEB was awarded $151 million contract for Virginia-class submarines SSN 814, SSN 815, SSN 816 and SSN 817, in July 2024 $181 million for long-lead time material associated with the Virginia Class Block VI submarines, and in October 2023 $216.5 million for SSN 814 and SSN 815.
In the light of 2022’s damage to the Nordic Stream gas pipeline, one of the two new Block VI boats requested in the FY2024 US Navy budget would be built to a special configuration labelled as the ‘modified Virginia-class subsea and seabed warfare (Mod VA SSW)’ variant.
In April 2024, the USN took delivery of its 23rd Virginia-class submarine USS New Jersey (SSN 796), the 11th boat built by NNS with 12 other boats built by GDEB. USS New Jersey was christened in November 2021 at NNS and the submarine is expected to be commissioned later this year.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Virginia Class Attack Submarine (SSN 823 - SSN 824)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.