GD awards HII USD 727m for Block V Virginia-class materials

General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $727.4 million contract modification to continue the procurement of long-lead-time material for Virginia-class submarines.

The award provides new funding to an existing contract for long-lead-time material to support construction of Block V submarines.

According to HII, the current contract brings the overall contract value to $1.04 billion.

In March 2019, GDEB as prime contractor received a $2 billion contract modification for Block V long-lead materials. This modification brought the overall contract value to approximately $3.2 billion.

“The start of early manufactured material is already underway for Block V submarines, which will include enhanced technology for today’s warfighters,”  said Dave Bolcar, Newport News’ vice president of submarine construction.

Block V submarines will include the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), an added section of the ship containing four large-diameter payload tubes. Extending the hull by 84 feet, the VPM will boost the submarine’s strike capabilities.

Each large-diameter payload tube can store and launch up to seven Tomahawk cruise missiles. The VPM offers exceptional flexibility as well for the integration of future payload types, such as unmanned systems or next-generation weapons.

First Block V submarines are expected to start construction this year.