General Dynamics Electric Boat wins $76.6B Navy contract for Virginia, Columbia-class submarines

Published Aug 3, 11:22 PM UTC

General Dynamics Electric Boat received the largest construction award in its 127-year history on July 29, 2026: a $76.6 billion Navy package. The contract includes $42.1 billion for nine Virginia-class attack submarines and $29.5 billion for five Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines, plus industrial-base funding. Electric Boat now employs over 27,000 people and plans to hire 8,000 more in 2026, expanding its workforce in Groton, Connecticut, and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The company and partner HII's Newport News Shipbuilding currently deliver about 1.3 Virginia-class submarines per year, below the Navy's goal of two, while transitioning to building one Columbia-class per year. The Columbia-class, at 560 feet long, will be the largest submarine the Navy has built and will replace the Ohio-class nuclear deterrent force. The article highlights the strategic importance of the skilled workforce and industrial base in maintaining U.S. undersea power.