The US Navys Columbiaclass will be a ballistic missile submarine to replace the current Ohioclass submarines as an element of the United States strategic nuclear force

US Navy Awards $101M to General Dynamics Nuclear Sub Program

Oct. 6, 2016

The U.S. Navy awarded a $101.3-million contract modification to General Dynamics Corp.’s Electric Boat subsidiary to continue developing the Common Missile Compartment of the forthcoming Columbia-class nuclear submarine.

Robert Brooks

The U.S. Navy has awarded a $101.3-million contract modification to General Dynamics Corp.’s (IW500/35 ) Electric Boat subsidiary to continue development work for the Common Missile Compartment of the forthcoming Columbia-class nuclear submarine — a replacement series for the Navy's current Ohio-class and the United Kingdom's Successor-class ballistic-missile submarine. The contract modification authorizes Electric Boat to procure 22 missile tubes for manufacturing of the Common Missile Compartment.

Replacing the Ohio-class has been long-term project: it has been in discussion for nearly a decade, and in 2012 the Navy issued a five-year contract worth up to $1.85 billion to General Dynamics for research and development work. That initial contract covered design costs and continuing design work for a new common missile compartment for nuclear submarines – a project begun by the Navy with Electric Boat in 2008.

American Machinist is an IndustryWeek companion site within Penton's Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group.

About the Author

Robert Brooks | Content Director

Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.

Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)