Kacey Roberts
A subsidiary of Fairbanks Morse Defense has received $96 million in purchase orders from the U.S. Navy to supply critical valves for the service branch’s nuclear-powered submarine programs.
Under the contract, Fairbanks Morse Defense said Monday that Hunt Valve will provide valves for five Columbia-class and 12 Virginia-class submarines.
The orders cover ship service ball valves and forged high-pressure system valves.
Fairbanks Morse Defense CEO George Whittier commented, “As a key defender of our nation’s freedom of the seas, the Navy’s silent service relies on top performance. Fairbanks Morse Defense remains committed to providing the essential components that help our fleet operate at its best.”
The Columbia-class submarines will replace the aging Ohio-class fleet slated for decommissioning, while the Virginia-class submarines are designed to succeed the Los Angeles-class attack submarines.
General Dynamics’ electric boat business will build the Columbia-class submarines, while both General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division will construct the Virginia-class vessels.
