GD to Develop Advanced Submarine Technologies for US Navy

General Dynamics (GD) Electric Boat has received a modification contract from the US Navy to develop advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms.

Under the $33.5m contract, Electric Boat will conduct advanced submarine research and development (R&D) studies in technology areas including manufacturability, maintainability, survivability, hydrodynamics, acoustics and materials.

The company will also conduct additional R&D work in areas that include manning, hull integrity, performance, ship control, logistics, weapons handling and safety.

The contract also supports near-term Virginia Class technology insertion, identification of Ohio Class replacement technology options, future submarine concepts and core technologies.

The modified contract was initially awarded in November 2010 and has a total potential value of $711.4m over a period of five years, if all options are exercised.