US Navy Awards Historic $76.6B Contract for 9 Block VI Virginia SSNs and 5 Columbia SSBNsIn its largest-ever submarine deal, the US Navy awards $76.6B to GDEB and HII for 9 Block VI Virginia-class attack subs and 5 Columbia-class SSBNs. The Columbia Class submarines will provide an effective sea-based strategic deterrent to meet U.S. Strategic Command’s (USSTRATCOM) requirements. Furthermore, these contract awards support the fielding of enhanced Virginia Class submarines, a platform engineered for unparalleled stealth, heavy payload strike capability, and multi-domain lethality. The Navy now has seven Columbia Class submarines under contract, complementing a force of 26 operational Virginia Class submarines with 23 more slated to be built. The Department is deeply grateful for Congress’s steadfast partnership and bipartisan support, which directly enables these historic contract awards and strengthens our national defense industrial base.