General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding have received US Navy contract modifications totaling $76.6 billion to continue production of the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine fleets. General Dynamics Electric Boat, serving as the lead contractor, was awarded $29.5 billion to construct five additional Build II Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. In a separate award worth $42.1 billion, the company will also build nine Block VI Virginia-class attack submarines while investing in shipyard infrastructure to increase production capacity. As the primary subcontractor, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding will deliver six of the nine new Block VI Virginia-class submarines. The shipbuilder also recently completed hull assembly of its first Block V Virginia-class submarine, marking an important step toward Block VI construction. For the Columbia-class fleet, Newport News Shipbuilding will produce six modular sections for every submarine. The contracts will support work across multiple US locations, including Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode Island, and other facilities, with all work expected to conclude by July 2038. Modernizing the US Submarine Fleet The Columbia-class program will deliver 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines to replace the Ohio-class fleet and preserve the US Navy’s strategic nuclear deterrence capability. The lead vessel has been under construction since 2021 and remains on schedule for delivery in 2028, with full-rate production targeted for 2031. The Virginia-class submarines are being developed to succeed the Los Angeles-class attack submarines and perform a broad range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, precision strike, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and special operations support. With the commissioning of the 26th Virginia-class submarine in April, more than 25 boats are now operational in the US Navy’s fleet.
