The US Navy has awarded incentive contract modifications totaling $76.6 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Inc. (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) for the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs.
As the prime contractor for both programs, General Dynamics Electric Boat received a $29.5-billion contract award to construct five additional Build II Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
The company also secured a separate $42.1 billion award to build nine additional Block VI Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines, along with funding for shipyard infrastructure to support submarine production.
HII, the major subcontractor for both programs, will have its NNS division serve as the delivery yard for six of the nine Block VI Virginia-class submarines.
The shipbuilder completed hull assembly of its first Block V Virginia-class submarine in December 2025, marking a milestone before the transition to Block VI production.
For the Columbia-class program, HII NNS will manufacture and deliver six module sections for each submarine.
Work under the contracts will be performed in Groton, Connecticut; Newport News, Virginia; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and other locations across the US, with completion expected by July 2038.
“These important contract modifications provide Electric Boat and our suppliers with the demand certainty we need to continue investing in capacity and hiring the workforce necessary to ensure we deliver these important national security assets on schedule,” said Mark Rayha, General Dynamics Electric Boat President.
Enhancing Undersea Dominance
The US Navy aims to acquire 12 Columbia-class submarines, which will replace the aging Ohio-class submarines by the 2030s and maintain the sea-based leg of the US nuclear triad.
Construction of the lead submarine began in 2021, was confirmed by the navy to be on track for delivery by 2028, and is slated to enter full-rate production by 2031.
Meanwhile, the Virginia-class submarines are intended to replace the Los Angeles-class boats and perform anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, land attack, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and special operations support missions.
More than 25 subs out of 43 are already in active service with the navy, following the commissioning of the 26th Virginia-class submarine in April.
