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Columbia-class construction deal marks a watershed for USN

11th November 2020 - 13:45 GMT | by Jason Sherman in New York

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Exception to usual budgeting rules allows work to proceed on first pair of new SSBNs – but will there be implications for other USN modernisation programmes?

The USN on 5 November executed a landmark contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat to begin construction on a new generation of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), in a major milestone that keeps the top-priority Columbia-class programme on schedule.

Under a $9.4 billion cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification, General Dynamics will begin construction and test activities on the lead and second boats (SSBN 826 and SSBN 827). It will also undertake associated design and engineering support.

‘Columbia is the Navy’s number-one acquisition priority programme,’ said USN acquisition executive James Geurts. ‘Awarding this contract on-time is vital to keeping the

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