GROTON, Conn., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- General Dynamics received another contract modification to get the U.S. Navy's newest submarine, the USS Texas, ready to join the fleet.
General Dynamics Electric Boat said Friday it had been awarded a $25 million modification to continue post-shakedown availability (PSA) work on the Texas, which is the second of the new Virginia-class attack submarines.
The PSA phase is scheduled for completion in February of 2008 and includes testing and any necessary alterations as well as more-routine maintenance and repairs. The process involves as many as 500 Electric Boat division workers and has a total potential value to G.D. of $85 million.
The Virginia class is the first major U.S. warship designed to operate in the post-Cold War world, meaning it is designed to carry out the historical deep-water submarine missions while also operating in the shallower "littoral" waters that include coastlines and strategic shipping passages. The vessels are equipped with a variety of missiles and torpedoes and with advanced electronics and high-powered computing that enhances the situational awareness and communications necessary in littoral areas.
While the subs cost more than $2 billion apiece, some defense analysts have been raising the possibility of subs taking on an even greater role in littoral missions due to recent advances and proliferation of robust anti-ship missiles that pose an increased threat to surface ships.
