General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a contract modification from the US Navy for the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program.
The modification is to the previously awarded Columbia Integrated Product and Process Contract from the US Naval Sea Systems Command.
Under this $313.9 million contract modification the company will support submarine industrial base development and expansion for the construction of the Columbia-class submarines as well as additional support for the manufacturing, procurement and delivery efforts for UK Strategic Weapon Support System kits.
At 560-feet long with a displacement of nearly 21,000 tons, the submarines of the Columbia class will be the largest ever built by the US. The Columbia will have a life-of the-ship fuel core that will power the submarine for its entire service life, eliminating the need for a mid-service refueling and increasing the time the ship can spend on deployment.
“Ballistic-missile submarines are the critical, survivable leg of our nation’s nuclear arsenal and Columbia is the Navy’s top acquisition priority,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. “We are grateful for the steadfast trust and support the Navy and Congress have in Electric Boat as we continue the work we began 15 years ago to deliver Columbia and the next 60 years of deterrence for our nation.”
Electric Boat will continue to work with its vendors and sub-contractors to optimize efforts to ramp up production capability and support the increased demand associated with the Columbia program. The company will deliver the lead ship to the Navy in 2027.
