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Under the contract, Electric Boat will undertake
development studies and other work related to Virginia-class submarine
design improvements. Additionally, Electric Boat will perform research
and development work required to evaluate new technology to be inserted
in newly built Virginia-class ships.
This modification brings the cumulative value of the contract, initially
awarded in 2010, to $1.1 billion.
This work will engage Electric Boat’s engineering and design organization,
which comprises more than 4,400 employees. Possessing proven technical
capabilities, these employees work on all facets of the submarine life
cycle from concept formulation and design through construction, maintenance
and modernization, and eventually to inactivation and disposal.
Virginia-class submarines have been delivered on-budget and ahead-of-schedule,
and displace 7,800 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter
of 34 feet. They are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots and can
dive to a depth greater than 800 feet, while carrying Mark 48 advanced
capability torpedoes, Tomahawk land-attack missiles and unmanned underwater
vehicles. In April 2014, the Navy awarded a $17.6 billion contract –
the largest in Navy shipbuilding history – to build 10 additional
vessels.
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