The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $2 billion contract modification for long lead time material to support construction of Block V Virginia-class submarines. The award modifies a contract awarded in 2017 that provides funding for long lead time material for steam and electrical plant components, main propulsion unit and ship service turbine generator efforts and miscellaneous hull, mechanical and electrical system components. This modification brings the overall contract value to approximately $3.2 billion.
This award allows Electric Boat and the submarine industrial base to continue to make preparations for construction of Block V, which will bring additional payload capacity to the Navy. Our team will continue to produce the world’s most technologically advanced submarines, safely and efficiently,” said Electric Boat President Jeffrey S. Geiger. Electric Boat employs about 17,000 people in Groton and New London, Connecticut; and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics
The 10 Virginia-class SSNs this contrat is targeting will be assembled within the Block V improvement program. Block V submarines will include the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), an added section of the ship containing four large-diameter payload tubes. Extending the hull by 84 feet, the VPM will boost the submarine’s strike capabilities. The VPM will add four additional payload tubes, each capable of carrying seven Tomahawk cruise missiles. The VPM tubes will be very similar to the VPTs utilized on Block III and forward ships.
The US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines will replace Los Angeles-class submarines as they retire. The next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia (SSN 774) class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities with an emphasis on littoral operations. The Block V SSN will include the Virginia Payload Module, which would give guided-missile capability when the Ohio-class SSGNs are retired from active service.