BAE Systems wins $70 million contract for Columbia class submarines.

According to information published by the US DoD on January 18, 2023, BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $71,909,045 definite-quantity, fixed-price incentive, firm-fixed-price, fixed-price economic price adjustment contract for the manufacture and delivery of five Columbia-class submarine components.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist rendering of the future Columbia class submarine. (Picture source: BAE Systems)

Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky (100%), and is expected to be completed by May 2030. Fiscal 2023 National Sea-Based Deterrence Fund funds in the amount of $7,075,000 (100%) will be obligated at time of award, of which none will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management website, with three offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Bethesda, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00167-23-D-0004).

About the Columbia class submarines

The Columbia class submarine is a new class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) being built by the United States Navy. The program is intended to replace the Navy's current Ohio-class SSBNs, which are approaching the end of their service lives.

The Columbia class will be equipped with the latest in missile technology, and will be designed to be stealthier and more difficult to detect than the Ohio class.

The lead boat, USS Columbia (SSBN-826), is planned to be commissioned in 2031. The class will be equipped with 16 Trident II D5 missiles, with a range of 4,000 nautical miles and the boats will be able to stay underwater for 20 years without surfacing.

The Columbia class submarine will be approximately 170 meters (560 feet) long and 13.5 meters (44 feet) wide. It will displace approximately 20,800 tons submerged.

The submarine will be powered by a nuclear reactor and will be capable of reaching speeds of over 25 knots (46 km/h) while submerged. It will have a crew of around 155 sailors.