GROTON, Conn., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Long-lead materials for four U.S. Navy Virginia-class submarines are to be purchased by General Dynamics Electric Boat, the company announced.
The $520 million contract modification to an earlier U.S. Navy award covers steam and electrical-plant components, main propulsion unit and ship-service turbine generator set, miscellaneous hull and mechanical and electrical-systems components to support construction of the submarines.
General Dynamics Electric Boat said with the newly awarded modification, the original 2012 contract is worth $1.2 billion.
"The contract continues to support the submarine industrial base in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Arizona, New York, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states throughout the U.S.," the company said.
Virginia-class submarines are nuclear-powered fast attack ships and are replacing older Los Angeles-class submarines. The speed of the submarine is more than 25 knots and its range is unlimited.
Virginia-class submarines carry about a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles as well as torpedoes.
