Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division has secured a contract modification worth $727.4m to continue procuring long-lead-time material for Virginia-class Block V submarines.

The latest award from General Dynamics Electric Boat is a modification to an existing contract for long-lead-time material to support the construction of the Virginia-class Block V submarines.

With the current contract, the overall contract value has increased to $1.04bn.

Newport News submarine construction vice-president Dave Bolcar said: “We are pleased to have received additional advanced procurement funds, which allows us to continue procuring long-lead-time materials and is important to our submarine industrial base of more than 5,000 companies across 48 states.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“The start of early manufactured material is already underway for Block V submarines, which will include enhanced technology for today’s warfighters.”

HII Newport News is General Dynamics Electric Boat’s partner on the construction of the Virginia-class submarines.

“The start of early manufactured material is already underway for Block V submarines, which will include enhanced technology for today’s warfighters.”

The new class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines are expected to replace the Los Angeles-class submarines, which are due to retire.

With the help of new technologies and innovations, the vessels will have increased firepower, manoeuvrability, stealth and warfighting capabilities.

The Block V submarines will have the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), an added section of the ship, which will extend the hull by 84ft and boost its strike capabilities. The VPM will increase the number of torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles the Virginia class can carry by 25.

According to a 2018 Congressional Research Service report, while a regular Virginia-class submarine will cost $2.7bn, the VPM-inclusive variant will cost up to $3.2bn.

The Virginia-class submarines are designed to support multiple mission packages. They have the ability to operate at submerged speeds of more than 25k for months at a time.

Last month, General Dynamics Electric Boat received a $2bn contract modification for long-lead-time material for the Virginia-class submarines.

To see how the US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine compares against the Royal Navy’s Astute class, read more here.