US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The contract, announced on July 29, 2026, covers 14 boats with work scheduled to continue until 2038. (Photo: Naval Sea Systems Command)
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion contract award for Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines was announced on July 29, 2026, covering 14 boats split between General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division.
The contract modifications will fund five additional Columbia-class fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN 828-832, Build II), nine additional Virginia-class attack submarines (SSN 814-822, Block VI), a tenth shipset of material, and further investment in shipyard productivity. GDEB was awarded $29.5bn for the Columbia-class boats and $42.1bn for the Virginia-class boats, with the remainder of the $76.6bn package covering shared infrastructure and productivity work carried out
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