Mary-Louise Hoffman
The U.S. Navy has devised a strategy for General Dynamics and Huntington Ingalls Industries to concurrently build Virginia-class and Ohio-class submarines through at least 2023, USNI News reported Monday.
USNI News quoted Navy spokeswoman Capt. Thurraya Kent as saying the Submarine Unified Build Strategy calls for General Dynamics Electric Boat to lead the design and delivery of 12 ballistic missile submarines as the chosen prime contractor on the military branch’s Ohio Replacement Program.
According to Kent, HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division will help design and build key assemblies and modules for OR submarines.
She added Electric Boat will continue its prime contractor role in the Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine construction initiative.
The report said Newport News Shipbuilding will be tasked to oversee final assembly and delivery of additional attack submarines as part of the Navy’s framework so that Electric Boat can prioritize work on OR vehicles.
“Both shipbuilders have agreed to this build strategy,” Kent noted.
