Nuclear component manufacturer BWX Technologies (BWXT) has received US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program contracts totaling approximately $2.6 billion, including future year options, for manufacturing naval nuclear reactor components.
As disclosed, the contracts primarily support Virginia and Columbia-class submarines as well as some work for certain Ford-class aircraft carrier components.
A naval nuclear reactor is a highly complex assembly requiring several large, heavy components, numerous smaller, finely machined components, and highly enriched uranium fuel. BWXT manufactures and assembles these parts into a naval nuclear reactor.
BWXT facilities in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Virginia contribute to the process.
Products contracted with these awards will be delivered during the next six to eight years.
“The BWXT team is proud to produce this essential hardware that allows the U.S. Navy to carry out its critical national security mission,” said Gary Camper , BWXT’s Nuclear Operations Group president.
These contracts build on the $2.1 billion in awards for the manufacture of nuclear reactor components. announced in February this year. The contracts will last over an approximately seven-year period that began in 2023.
The reactors for submarines being developed and built today are designed to last for the life of the ship, and reactors for aircraft carriers are designed to be refueled only once during the life of the ship.