QinetiQ US has secured approximately $26 million in subcontracts from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to deliver electrical and electromechanical systems for the US Navy’s Virginia and Columbia class submarine programs.
Under these contracts, QinetiQ US will build, test, and deliver complex electrical and electromechanical systems that enable ‘critical onboard operations’. These specialized components play vital roles in performance and mission effectiveness, according to the company.
Production of all electrical and electromechanical systems will take place at QinetiQ’s US-based manufacturing facilities with deliveries scheduled throughout the period of performance.
“These awards highlight Electric Boat’s confidence in QinetiQ’s engineering expertise, manufacturing capability and our role within the Navy submarine industrial base to deliver mission-critical systems for the nation’s fleet,” said Tom Vecchiolla , President and Chief Executive of QinetiQ US.
“Our technical solutions support enhanced operational capabilities for these advanced submarines, enabling the U.S. Navy’s undersea dominance.”
The Virginia and Columbia class submarines represent the current and future of the U.S. Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities.
The Virginia class is a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine designed to excel in littoral and deep-water missions, while the Columbia class will replace the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines as a critical component of the nation’s nuclear deterrent.
Recently, US shipbuilder HII launched the US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800). USS Arkansas is the 27th Virginia-class submarine. The advanced capabilities of Virginia-class submarines increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth.
Meanwhile, GDEB, a business unit of General Dynamics, awarded a total of $12.4 billion in contract modifications for the construction of two more Virginia-class submarines in May this year. GDEB is the prime contractor and lead design yard for the Virginia-class submarine series and constructs them in a teaming arrangement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) in Virginia.
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The Columbia-class program’s goal is to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the US Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs.
The shipyards will build the Columbia-class submarines between 2021 and 2039, with GDEB as the prime contractor. HII/NNS will participate in the design and will manufacture major Columbia-class assemblies and modules, including the bow, stern, auxiliary machinery room, superstructure and weapons modules.