B&W producing submarine nuclear propulsion components

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Nuclear propulsion components for Virginia-Class submarines and Ford-Class aircraft carriers are being manufactured by the Babcock & Wilcox Company.

The work, which started last month, is being performed by company subsidiary Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group Inc., under several contracts with a combined worth of $535.1 million.

"We are quite excited to continue our decades-long relationship with the U.S. Naval Reactors Program, and these new awards will add significantly to our solid backlog," said Peyton S. Baker, president and chief operations officer for B&W's Government and Nuclear Operations Group. "Our employees remain dedicated to providing only the highest quality products and services that are critical to supporting the defense of our nation."

In addition to producing the reactor components, are work scopes for the disassembly and recovery of highly enriched uranium materials.

Babcock & Wilcox said about $424.6 million of the contracted work comes from exercised options of earlier awards first issued in 2010 and 20113, while about $110.5 million comes from new contracts issued late last year.

The work will be performed over several years at company facilities in three states, the company said.