{"id":23831,"date":"2026-08-01T02:53:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=23831"},"modified":"2026-08-01T02:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T21:53:58","slug":"navy-awards-76-6-billion-for-virginia-columbia-class-submarines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=23831","title":{"rendered":"Navy awards $76.6 billion for Virginia, Columbia-class submarines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The U.S. Navy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/Press-Releases\/display-pressreleases\/Article\/4559321\/department-of-war-awards-historic-shipbuilding-contract-to-cement-undersea-domi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/Press-Releases\/display-pressreleases\/Article\/4559321\/department-of-war-awards-historic-shipbuilding-contract-to-cement-undersea-domi\/\">announced<\/a> that it is awarding contracts for another round of ballistic missile and fast-attack submarines. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The Defense Department is granting a collective $76.6 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat for five Columbia-class submarines and to both General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding for nine Virginia-class submarines to be built in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">\u201cThis historic investment underscores the department\u2019s continued commitment to undersea superiority and the recapitalization of our nuclear triad,\u201d said Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher, director of submarine programs. \u201cBy securing the continuous production of both the Columbia and Virginia classes, we ensure we will continue to deliver the world\u2019s most lethal, survivable and resilient combat platform.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The contract includes $29.5 billion for Columbia-class Build II submarines, $42.1 billion for Virginia-class Block VI submarines and $5 billion for investments in nuclear shipbuilding programs and shipbuilding infrastructure for both shipbuilders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The Navy currently has seven Columbia-class submarines under contract, 26 active Virginia-class submarines and 23 more Virginia-class submarines in the pipeline for future construction, the service said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The Navy has made its newest submarine class a top priority over the last several years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The Columbia-class has big shoes to fill: the ships are being built to replace Ohio-class submarines as they phase out of service. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The latter continues to play a big part in underwater military operations. An Ohio-class submarine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/naval\/2025\/06\/25\/heres-the-role-an-ohio-class-submarine-played-in-the-strikes-on-iran\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/naval\/2025\/06\/25\/heres-the-role-an-ohio-class-submarine-played-in-the-strikes-on-iran\/\">participated<\/a> in military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities during <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2025\/06\/25\/strikes-only-set-back-irans-nuclear-program-by-months-us-report-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2025\/06\/25\/strikes-only-set-back-irans-nuclear-program-by-months-us-report-says\/\">Operation Midnight Hammer<\/a> on June 22, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The Columbia-class is expected to surpass the missile payload and stealth capabilities of the Ohio-class, as well as harness <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/2025\/05\/13\/navy-seeks-to-fast-track-nuclear-weapons-systems\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/2025\/05\/13\/navy-seeks-to-fast-track-nuclear-weapons-systems\/\">the Trident II D5 Strategic Weapons System<\/a> and hypersonic missiles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">While construction began on the Columbia-class in 2020, the Virginia class has been around for some time, with the launch of its lead ship in 2003.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">Virginia-class submarines, which were designed to replace <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-navy\/2026\/07\/21\/uss-charlotte-crew-that-reportedly-sank-iranian-frigate-awarded-navy-unit-commendation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/news\/your-navy\/2026\/07\/21\/uss-charlotte-crew-that-reportedly-sank-iranian-frigate-awarded-navy-unit-commendation\/\">Los Angeles-class submarines<\/a>, can host special operation forces undergoing long deployments onboard in a reconfigurable torpedo room.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">Despite Columbia-class fabrication beginning six years ago, the program has faced delays.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The lead ship in its class was originally slated for a 2027 delivery but has since been pushed back to 2028 after delivery postponement involving steam turbines and the ship\u2019s bow and stern, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2026\/04\/29\/first-columbia-class-sub-tracking-to-2028-delivery-general-dynamics-says\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2026\/04\/29\/first-columbia-class-sub-tracking-to-2028-delivery-general-dynamics-says\">according<\/a> to USNI News.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">Government watchdogs initially predicted a rocky construction timeline for the newest addition to the silent service.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">A U.S. Government Accountability Office <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/naval\/2023\/01\/24\/gao-concerned-columbia-program-may-struggle-to-stay-on-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/naval\/2023\/01\/24\/gao-concerned-columbia-program-may-struggle-to-stay-on-schedule\/\">report<\/a> from January 2023 expressed concern that the building process would encounter hiccups because the ship\u2019s contractor, General Dynamics Electric Boat, hadn\u2019t conducted a \u201cschedule risk analysis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The latter practice, which is recommended by the GAO and is part of the Defense Department\u2019s guidelines for large acquisition programs, helps set expectations for a program\u2019s completion. <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph-sc-1tqpf5s-0 bFwqVI body-paragraph body-paragraph\">The Navy\u2019s fiscal 2027 budget <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/Press-Releases\/display-pressreleases\/Article\/4464720\/department-of-the-navy-releases-fy27-budget-request\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.navy.mil\/Press-Office\/Press-Releases\/display-pressreleases\/Article\/4464720\/department-of-the-navy-releases-fy27-budget-request\/\">request<\/a> for $378 billion includes money for the purchase of one Columbia-class submarine and two Virginia-class submarines.<\/p>\n<div class=\"default__Wrapper-sc-cy7r53-1 ioPqEr\">\n<p class=\"default__BioWrapper-sc-cy7r53-0 eATlTY a-body2\">Riley Ceder is a reporter at Military Times, where he covers breaking news, criminal justice, investigations, and cyber. He previously worked as an investigative practicum student at The Washington Post, where he contributed to the Abused by the Badge investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The U.S. Navy announced that it is awarding contracts for another round of ballistic missile and fast-attack submarines. The Defense Department is granting a collective $76.6 billion to General Dynamics Electric Boat for five Columbia-class submarines and to both General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding for nine Virginia-class submarines to be&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23832,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.armytimes.com\/resizer\/v2\/PBWR2AEEDZEKRE3BRQEX32YUGE.jpg?width=1200&auth=7143f3bd3d81a6d468102c76982120565de085eedbed37c14aeab063392eb88f","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}