The US Navy has awarded a $102.8m contract modification to General Dynamics (GD) Electric Boat to deliver services for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.
Under the contract, Electric Boat will provide lead-yard services, undertake development studies, and other work related to Virginia-class submarine design improvements.
The company will also perform research and development work required to evaluate new technology to be inserted in newly built Virginia-class ships.
This modification contract stems from a $1.1bn original order awarded in 2010.
Work on the contract will be carried out by Electric Boat’s engineering and design organisation, which comprises more than 4,400 employees.
Electric Boat is responsible for work on all facets of the submarine life cycle, from concept formulation and design to construction, maintenance and modernisation, and eventually inactivation and disposal.
In October this year, the company secured a contract modification from the US Navy to carry out reactor-plant planning yard services for nuclear submarines.
Approximately 28 Virginia-class submarines have been either delivered, are in construction, or are under contract for the US Navy.
General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-built Virginia-class submarines can cruise at a submerged speed of 25k with a beam of 34ft and carry a crew of 134.
The submarines also support anti-submarine, anti-ship and strike warfare. In addition, the vessels can be used to perform special operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, irregular warfare, and mine warfare missions.
