Ubåt - 10 Block V Virginia Class båter ønskes bygget - Den største kontrakt i USN`s historie - Defence Daily

A mockup of the Block V Virginia-class attack submarine with the Virginia Payload Module in use. (Image: General Dynamics Electric Boat)

Members of Congress from the states where the new Block V Virginia-class attack submarines will be built support the new contract but emphasized they want to see the optional 10th boat built.

On Monday, the Navy awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat [GD] long-awaited a $22.2 billion contract to build nine Block V submarines with an option for a 10th that would increase the contract cost to over $24 billion (Defense Daily, Dec. 2).

At the time, Navy officials noted this is the largest shipbuilding contract the Navy has ever awarded. Eight of the nine submarines will include the Virginia Payload Module (VPM), adding capability to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and extending the length of the submarine by 90 feet.