Curtiss-Wright has been awarded a contract to provide valves that meet the increasing needs for the next six US Navy Virginia Class submarine nuclear propulsion systems.

The contract awarded by Bechtel Plant Machinery (BPMI) is for an initial two ship-sets of Virginia Class reactor plant valves with options for another four ship-sets.

The value of the contract is expected to be over $66m, if fully funded.

Work will be carried out at the company’s Target Rock business unit in New York, US, with deliveries scheduled to take place from 2012 through 2018.