Goodrich Corporation is to provide a number of composite components for eight US Navy Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarines under a $49m contract awarded by Northrop Grumman.

Under the contract the company will build components including a bow dome, and sonar and weapons equipment for the eight Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarines, collectively known as block III.

General Dynamics, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, will construct a total of 18 Virginia Class submarines for the navy.

Work will be carried out by Goodrich’s Engineered Polymer Products team in Jacksonville, Florida.

Goodrich Corporation will deliver two ships a year from 2011 until 2013.