HII Nuclear-Powered Submarines (2024)

The new submarines will make up one leg of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent triad. The 561-foot-long submarines will include a new life-of-ship reactor, an electric drive propulsion system and field 16 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.

Building on the success of the Virginia-class submarine program, NNS is participating in the construction of 12 Columbia-class submarines with EB as the prime contractor. NNS is manufacturing major Columbia-class assemblies and modules, including the bow, stern, auxiliary machinery room, superstructure and weapons modules.

Using expertise developed from building dozens of submarines, Newport News Shipbuilding is one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines. We also provide design and engineering services and fleet maintenance support around the world. We are building the U.S. Navy’s most advanced attack submarines in the world — the Virginia-class. Designed to meet the Navy’s requirements in a post-Cold War era, Virginia-class submarines use advanced technologies to increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth. The submarines are capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for up to three months at a time.

Under an innovative agreement, Newport News Shipbuilding is producing these submarines as part of a teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Prior to the Virginia-class, Newport News Shipbuilding designed the Los Angeles-class submarines and constructed 29 of the 62 boats built.

From design through construction, maintenance, and disposal, our fleet support organization is committed to providing quality services to the submarine community. Our portfolio of fleet service offerings includes both mobile and in-house capabilities.

Our mobile “Tiger Team” provides submarine modernization and repair services at the naval shipyards, fleet homeports and wherever the need is around the world. We provide the submarine fleet sonar and combat systems installation services including WSQ-9, Total Ship Monitoring System (TSMS), Advanced Rapid COTS Insertion (ARCI) and BYG-1. We are also one of only two private shipyards authorized by NAVSEA to perform SUBSAFE work on submarines.

We continue to provide the submarine community with needed surge capacity performing quality maintenance, modernization and repair services at our facility as well.