Ireland Degges
An HII shipbuilding division has booked a $567.6 million subcontract modification to obtain long lead items needed to build Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines for the U.S. Navy.
General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded the funds for HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding arm to begin material procurement and advance construction work for two new submarines, the military shipbuilder said Tuesday.
“This contract modification underscores the critical manufacturing work our shipbuilders do for the U.S. Navy, as major contributors to the Columbia-class,” said Brandi Smith, vice president of NNS for Columbia-class construction.
“Our shipbuilders understand the responsibility, commitment and discipline required of them each day, and take great pride in supporting this mission,” she said.
Currently, HII is under contract to produce submarine modules for Build I, which includes the District of Columbia and Wisconsin submarines – the first two vessels in the class.
The modification supports advance construction on Build II, which includes the next five submarines in the class.
“When delivered to the fleet, these submarines and their crews will protect peace and freedom around the world, in service of the nation,” said Smith.
Columbia-class submarines, which are set to supplant the fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, have become a key priority for the U.S. Navy. Once the new fleet is completed, they will take on the role of the country’s sea-based strategic deterrent to provide the most survivable pillar of the strategic triad.
As a subcontractor to General Dynamics Electric Boat, NNS is currently constructing and delivering six module sections per submarine.
HII is currently supporting a variety of Navy shipbuilding initiatives. In January, the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding business received a $10.5 million contract to modernize two Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers.
The previous month, HII began fabricating the USS Fallujah, the service branch’s new amphibious assault ship.
