HII secures deal for construction of first two Columbia-class submarine modules

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division has been awarded a contract modification from General Dynamics Electric Boat in support of construction on the first two Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines.

The contract modification, valued at approximately $2.2 billion, provides continued design support efforts, as well as the construction and delivery of six module sections for each of the first two Columbia-class submarines.

As part of the contract, Newport News will deliver the completed modules to Electric Boat for final assembly. The contracted module delivery dates are scheduled to start in November 2022 with the last module delivery taking place by January 2028.

“We are pleased to be a crucial design and manufacturing contributor to the Columbia-class program,” Charles Southall, Newport News’ vice president of Columbia-class Submarine Construction, commented.

Newport News is a major contractor and shipbuilding partner in the Columbia-class program, and in May 2019 began construction of the lead ballistic missile submarine under contract to Electric Boat.

The 12-ship Columbia class will replace the fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The lead ship is scheduled to be delivered to the US Navy in 2027.

Several weeks ago, Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite revealed that the second Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine will be named in honor of the state of Wisconsin. This will be the third naval vessel to bear the state name and will carry the hull number SSBN 827.