The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a not-to-exceed $2.3-billion undefinitized contract action modification tied to the development of Virginia-class Block VI submarines.
The contract modification supports the procurement of long-lead materials and early-stage manufacturing activities required ahead of full submarine construction.
Work under the agreement will be carried out across several US locations, including Sunnyvale, California; Chesapeake, Virginia; and Minneapolis, Minnesota, with completion expected by September 2035.
Virginia-Class Program
The Virginia-class submarine program serves as the backbone of the US Navy’s nuclear-powered fast attack submarine fleet, replacing older Los Angeles-class submarines while sustaining American undersea superiority well into the mid-21st century.
These submarines are designed for a broad range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and support for special operations forces.
General Dynamics Electric Boat acts as the lead contractor for the program, while Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding serves as the primary construction partner.
The two shipyards share production responsibilities through an alternating build arrangement to maintain steady manufacturing output.
Block VI Enhancements
Block VI is the latest evolution of the Virginia-class design and introduces improvements in stealth performance, operational efficiency, sonar technology, propulsion systems, and seabed warfare capabilities.
The configuration also incorporates the Virginia Payload Module, which expands weapons-carrying capacity. The capability first appeared on the second Block V submarine, the future USS Arizona (SSN 803).
