USN orders tenth Block V Virginia-class submarine
By exercising an option to order another boat, USN brings total spending on procurement of Block V Virginia-class submarines to almost $25 billion.
General Dynamics Electric Boat is building a tenth Block V Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) for the USN, under a $2.42 billion contract modification announced on 19 March by the DoD.
The SSN will include the Virginia Payload Module for Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Work will be carried out by Electric Boat and principal subcontractor Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding, with a planned completion date of February 2030.
The first Block V Virginia-class submarine is scheduled for delivery in FY2025.
In December 2019, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded a nine-boat Block V contract for Electric Boat. That $22.2 billion contract covers procurement from FY2019 to FY2023.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that nine of the ten Block V boats will be equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Virginia Class Attack Submarine (SSN 812 - SSN 822)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Russian vessels exercise in English Channel and off Irish coast]()
Russian vessels exercise in English Channel and off Irish coast
One of the vessels present in both cases was armed with hypersonic cruise missiles.
-
![Australia narrows SEA 3000 frigate designs to TKMS and MHI]()
Australia narrows SEA 3000 frigate designs to TKMS and MHI
Two modular frigate designs will be considered as the replacement to Australia’s ageing Anzac-class.
-
![Latest Arleigh Burke destroyer commissioned]()
Latest Arleigh Burke destroyer commissioned
The vessel, DDG 122, will be named after enlisted marine John Basilone.
-
![Kongsberg awarded $960 million missile contract]()
Kongsberg awarded $960 million missile contract
The contract could rise to as much as US$1.1 billion and follows an announcement last month that Kongsberg was building a missile production facility in the US to meet burgeoning global demand.
-
![New US Navy batteries are deemed submarine-safe]()
New US Navy batteries are deemed submarine-safe
The use of Passive Propagation Technology significantly reduces the risk of Lithium-ion batteries for use in torpedo tube launched AUVs.
-
![BAE Systems’ Herne XLAUV set to hunt for underwater intelligence]()
BAE Systems’ Herne XLAUV set to hunt for underwater intelligence
The Herne is modular, highly configurable underwater autonomous platform, with potential for both ISR missions in the short term and self-determined assistance surveillance later.
