The US Navy is assessing domestic shipyard capacity to support construction of its next-generation SSN(X) nuclear-powered attack submarine, seeking information from potential prime contractors on their infrastructure, technical capabilities and future investment requirements.
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), through its Team Submarine organization and the SSN(X) program office (PMS 351), issued a sources-sought notice on October 9 to gather industry information for market research and acquisition planning. Responses are due by October 15, 2026.
The notice is intended to establish a baseline of domestic industrial capabilities, identify potential capital investment needs and inform the Navy’s plans for the SSN(X) construction pipeline. It does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or a commitment to award a contract, according to the officials.
The assessment focuses on facilities and workforce capabilities needed to support complex nuclear submarine construction over an extended period.
Required capabilities include complete hull fabrication, modular outfitting, precision systems integration, reactor compartment installation and post-delivery testing. The Navy is also seeking information on available drydock capacity, specialized fabrication equipment and the availability of qualified shipbuilding design personnel.
Critical infrastructure identified in the notice includes certified graving or floating drydocks, heavy-module fabrication shops and gantry crane systems capable of lifting and moving major submarine modules.
The sources-sought process is an early market-research step rather than a competition for a construction contract. The US Navy will use the information to assess the industrial base available for SSN(X) construction and inform its future acquisition strategy, it was concluded.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration pursues a broader overhaul of the US naval shipbuilding industrial base.
In an August presidential memorandum, President Donald Trump directed the development of measures to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity, increase competition and establish a fifth public Navy shipyard to improve submarine and aircraft carrier maintenance capacity.