Curtiss-Wright has been awarded a contract to supply generators for the US Navy’s next-generation Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) programme.
Awarded by Northrop Grumman, the contract has a ceiling value of approximately $120m.
In 2021, Northrop Grumman, under a common missile compartment (CMC) programme, was awarded a contract to manufacture launcher subsystem hardware for the US Navy’s Columbia-class and the UK Royal Navy’s Dreadnought-class submarine.
Curtiss-Wright CEO and president Lynn Bamford said: “We are very proud to have been chosen by Northrop Grumman to provide generators for this significant US nuclear naval defence platform.
“The Columbia-class SSBN programme is the US Navy’s top priority to maintain the nation’s force structure, and Curtiss-Wright’s selection for this award reflects our long-standing commitment to and our ongoing support of the US Navy’s most critical platforms.”
Work under the contract will be carried out at Curtiss-Wright’s facility in Cheswick, Pennsylvania, US.
It will be performed under the company’s Naval & Power Segment, which currently supplies various high-performance systems and equipment for the US Navy’s nuclear fleet.
The systems include motors, generators, pumps, valves auxiliary systems, helicopter landing and shipborne aircraft systems.
Earlier in July, the company, under its Naval & Power segment, also acquired Safran Aerosystems Arresting (SAA).
The US Navy’s Columbia-class submarine is being constructed by General Dynamic Electric Boat (GDEB). The company secured initial contract in 2020 for the construction of first two submarines of this class.
Recently, GDEB also authenticated the keel for the lead Columbia-class SSBN USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826).
Delivery of the first Columbia-class vessel is expected in 2027.
Once constructed, the new SSBNs will replace the US Navy’s existing Ohio-class nuclear-ballistic submarine fleet.
