General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $1.85 billion contract to initiate early construction and procure critical parts for future Virginia-class submarines of the US Navy.
The funding supports efforts to stay on schedule with production and ensure suppliers are prepared for rising demands. Since its launch in 1998, the Virginia-class program has seen 40 submarines ordered—24 now in service and 16 under construction or pending delivery.
Engineered for both deep-ocean and near-shore operations, the Virginia-class fleet is phasing out the older Los Angeles-class submarines. The company has reached several notable benchmarks recently within the program.
In May, it signed a $12.4 billion deal to build two Block V submarines—SSN-812 (USS Baltimore) and SSN-813 (USS Atlanta).
In April, the Navy commissioned its 24th Virginia-class submarine, the sixth of the Block IV series, equipped with expanded missile launchers and added torpedo tubes.
In March, General Dynamics also landed a $1.06 billion contract to begin sourcing long-lead components for Block VI vessels.
