General Dynamics Gets Contract to Build Two Virginia-Class Nuclear Subs

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — General Dynamics Electric Boat has received a $126 million order for the US navy to start building the first two nuclear-powered Virginia-class attack submarines, General Dynamics said in a press release on Thursday.

"General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $126.5 million contract by the US Navy for long lead time material for the first two Block V Virginia-class submarines, SSN-802 and SSN-803," the release stated.

Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. It has been building submarines since 1900.

"The contract provides funding for steam and electric-plant components, the main propulsion units and ship-service turbine generators, and miscellaneous hull, mechanical and electrical-system components to support construction of the two submarines beginning in fiscal year 2019," the release said.

The Virginia Payload Module is comprised of four additional payload tubes in a new hull section inserted amid ships to boost the vessels’ strike capacity by more than 230 percent, the release added.