Electric Boat secures $ 9.5 billion submarine contract

GROTON, Conn. ( AP) — Connecticut and Rhode Island officials are celebrating a new submarine contract for General Dynamics Electric Boat as a major economic win for the region’s economy.

The $ 9.47 billion contract with the U. S. Navy, which was announced Friday, is for construction and testing of the first two Columbiaclass submarines.

The 560- foot Columbiaclass submarines are slated to be the largest constructed in the United States and will replace the older Ohio- class ballistic missile submarines, the company said.

“This isn’t just a milestone for the shipbuilders at EB — the Columbia- class program will also be a major opportunity for industry partners up and down the supply chain for years to come, and a foundational piece for our region’s economic future,” said U. S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who represents southeastern Connecticut. “Generations of shipbuilders and manufacturers will get their start working on this multidecade program, and it’s an exciting time to get more people into the pipeline for the jobs and opportunities that will come with the start of this effort.”

The first submarine is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2027, and the second one in 2029.

Electric Boat is to perform about 78% of the construction on the submarines, the company said. Major sections of the subs are to be built at EB’s Quonset Point, Rhode Island, facility. They will then be transported by barge to its yard in Groton, where the components will be assembled in a 200,000square- foot facility now under construction.