The US Navy has awarded contract modifications worth a combined $76.6 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding to advance the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs. As the prime contractor, General Dynamics Electric Boat secured a $29.5 billion contract to build five additional Build II Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The company also received a separate $42.1 billion award for the construction of nine additional Block VI Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, including funding to expand shipyard infrastructure supporting submarine production. HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding, the principal subcontractor for both programs, will act as the delivery yard for six of the nine Block VI Virginia-class submarines. The company completed hull assembly of its first Block V Virginia-class submarine in December 2025, paving the way for the transition to Block VI production. Under the Columbia-class program, Newport News Shipbuilding will manufacture and deliver six major module sections for each submarine. Contract work will be carried out in Groton, Connecticut; Newport News, Virginia; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; and other US locations, with completion scheduled by July 2038. Strengthening US Undersea Capabilities The US Navy plans to procure 12 Columbia-class submarines to replace the aging Ohio-class fleet and sustain the sea-based component of the nation’s nuclear deterrent into the 2030s. Construction of the lead Columbia-class submarine began in 2021, with delivery expected in 2028 and full-rate production planned by 2031. The Virginia-class submarines, meanwhile, are designed to replace the Los Angeles-class fleet while supporting anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, land-attack operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and special operations missions. More than 25 of the planned 43 Virginia-class submarines are already in service, following the commissioning of the 26th vessel earlier this year.
