Electric Boat Awarded $2.3B for Columbia-Class Submarines

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat nearly $2.3 billion for work on its Columbia-class submarine program.

The Navy’s Nov. 17 announcement is a contract modification calling for advance procurement and advance construction of five Columbia-class fleet ballistic missile submarine hulls.

The work will primarily take place in Connecticut—70% in Groton—but also Virginia (15% in Newport News), and Rhode Island (15% Quonset Point).

Work is expected to finish in December 2031.

Expansion Efforts Underway

In September, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Electric Boat a $642 million contract modification to support existing Virginia-class submarine production.

To accelerate submarine production overall, Groton-based Electric Boat recently purchased three properties in nearby Waterford, Connecticut, including the Crystal Mall, the former Macy’s and the former Sears buildings.

The off-shipyard locations, totaling approximately 542,000 square feet, will provide Electric Boat space to expand its engineering, training and software development work in support of Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine program, the company said.

Between 4,000 to 5,000 Electric Boat employees are expected to work at the Waterford location after the properties are refurbished.