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Fox News
15-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Navy's next-generation submarine program faces alarming delay to 2040
The Navy's next-generation attack submarine won't be a reality for at least 15 years, according to a new report. The Navy's SSN(X) was originally slated to enter production in 2031. That timeline has since slipped – to 2035 and now to 2040, due to escalating costs and budget constraints. The Navy requested $623 million in its FY 2026 budget to advance the program. This new class is expected to emphasize stealth, intelligence gathering, larger torpedo payloads and advanced connectivity with unmanned undersea systems. The report urges lawmakers to consider whether the delay could threaten U.S. undersea dominance and the Navy's ability to conduct critical missions. At around 10,000 tons, the SSN(X) is projected to cost between $6.7 billion and $8 billion per vessel, making it significantly more expensive than the Virginia‑class subs it's intended to replace. Virginia‑class boats cost approximately $4 billion each and have been in service since 1998. The Navy typically procures two per year, but actual production has slowed to just 1.2–1.4 subs annually, resulting in a growing backlog of funded but unconstructed boats. For FY 2025, the Navy requested only one Virginia‑class submarine due to production constraints. Only two U.S. shipyards – Electric Boat and Newport News – are equipped to build nuclear-powered submarines. The report also encourages lawmakers to examine the impact of deferring production on the industrial base and whether shifting from highly enriched uranium reactors to low-enriched uranium might offer cost or safety advantages. Meanwhile, the Navy aims to grow its fleet from 296 to 381 ships in the coming decades – but experts warn that major industrial expansion would be required to reach those targets. "We need more ships delivered on time and on budget, and we are challenged in both arenas," said Brett A. Seidle, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. "Costs are rising faster than inflation, and schedules on multiple programs are delayed one to three years." Despite nearly doubling its shipbuilding budget over the past two decades, the Navy has consistently fallen short of its ship-count goals. The Government Accountability Office noted that Navy shipbuilding programs and yards are effectively operating in a "perpetual state of triage." Last month, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D‑Conn., the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on his plan to expand shipbuilding capacity. "I want your plan. Can we get that in writing and on paper? Because we don't have anything today – zip, nada," she said. "We have the details," Hegseth responded, "and we will provide them."
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Navy's next-generation submarine program faces alarming delay to 2040
The Navy's next-generation attack submarine won't be a reality for at least 15 years, according to a new report. The Navy's SSN(X) was originally slated to enter production in 2031. That timeline has since slipped – to 2035 and now to 2040, due to escalating costs and budget constraints. The Navy requested $623 million in its FY 2026 budget to advance the program. This new class is expected to emphasize stealth, intelligence gathering, larger torpedo payloads and advanced connectivity with unmanned undersea systems. The report urges lawmakers to consider whether the delay could threaten U.S. undersea dominance and the Navy's ability to conduct critical missions. At around 10,000 tons, the SSN(X) is projected to cost between $6.7 billion and $8 billion per vessel, making it significantly more expensive than the Virginia‑class subs it's intended to replace. Virginia‑class boats cost approximately $4 billion each and have been in service since 1998. The Navy typically procures two per year, but actual production has slowed to just 1.2–1.4 subs annually, resulting in a growing backlog of funded but unconstructed boats. For FY 2025, the Navy requested only one Virginia‑class submarine due to production constraints. Only two U.S. shipyards – Electric Boat and Newport News – are equipped to build nuclear-powered submarines. The report also encourages lawmakers to examine the impact of deferring production on the industrial base and whether shifting from highly enriched uranium reactors to low-enriched uranium might offer cost or safety advantages. Meanwhile, the Navy aims to grow its fleet from 296 to 381 ships in the coming decades – but experts warn that major industrial expansion would be required to reach those targets. "We need more ships delivered on time and on budget, and we are challenged in both arenas," said Brett A. Seidle, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. "Costs are rising faster than inflation, and schedules on multiple programs are delayed one to three years." Despite nearly doubling its shipbuilding budget over the past two decades, the Navy has consistently fallen short of its ship-count goals. The Government Accountability Office noted that Navy shipbuilding programs and yards are effectively operating in a "perpetual state of triage." Last month, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D‑Conn., the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on his plan to expand shipbuilding capacity. "I want your plan. Can we get that in writing and on paper? Because we don't have anything today – zip, nada," she said. "We have the details," Hegseth responded, "and we will provide them."
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
General Dynamics Electric Boat awarded $1.85 billion contract modification for long lead time material and preliminary construction for submarine production
GROTON, Conn. , July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that it was awarded a $1.85 billion contract modification to a previously awarded contract supporting submarine production. This modification is for long lead time material and preliminary construction efforts for submarine production, as detailed in the June 26 U.S. Department of Defense contract award announcement. "This contract modification allows for the acquisition of critical material and components for Virginia-class submarines that require substantial lead time to manufacture and deliver. It sends a continued demand signal, supporting supplier investment in the capacity and materials needed to achieve our required production volume," said Mark Rayha, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. "Consistent funding and support such as this contract modification is essential for the shipyards to achieve the high-rate production of submarines the Navy needs." General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. Headquartered in Groton, Connecticut, it employs more than 24,000 people. More information about General Dynamics Electric Boat is available at Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 110,000 people worldwide and generated $47.7 billion in revenue in 2024. More information is available at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE General Dynamics Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
AU Financial Review
20-06-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
The PM has more than cash to win over Trump on AUKUS
This month in Groton, Connecticut, thousands of shipyard workers got the first bump in what will be a 30 per cent pay rise over five years that Australian taxpayers indirectly helped them secure. The massive deal, struck between unions and shipbuilder Electric Boat, came after the US Navy in April awarded a $US12.4 billion contract for the construction of two nuclear-powered submarines that included federally funded wage rises and shipyard improvements.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Pentagon chief vows to honor US-Australia sub deal
WASHINGTON: Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (pic) sought Tuesday (June 10) to reassure lawmakers over the US pledge to supply Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, amid growing concern that production is not rolling out quickly enough to meet the commitment. Under the AUKUS deal signed to great fanfare in 2021, Washington, London and Canberra are cooperating on the joint development of cyber warfare tools, artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles. The agreement commits the United States to building cutting-edge submarines for Australia, an investment with an estimated cost of up to US$235 billion over 30 years. Australia plans to acquire at least three Virginia Class submarines from the United States within the next 15 years, eventually manufacturing its own nuclear-powered subs. The US navy has 24 Virginia-class vessels, which can carry cruise missiles, but American shipyards are struggling to meet production targets set at two new boats each year. Critics question why the United States would sell nuclear-powered submarines to Australia without stocking its own military first. Questioned by members of the US House of Representatives, Hegseth said his team was talking "every day" to US shipbuilders Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls to ensure that "their needs not only are being met, but their shortfalls are being addressed." The former Fox News host, one of President Donald Trump's most divisive cabinet appointments, acknowledged a "gap" between current supply and future demand, but added that submarine building is "crucial" to US security. He blamed Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden for having "neglected" the industrial base for submarine construction. While the stealthy Virginia class is an attack and intelligence gathering submarine designed for a wide range of missions, the Columbia class is a ballistic missile carrier built for nuclear deterrence that will be the largest submarine ever built by the United States. Democrat Rosa DeLauro - whose home state of Connecticut builds Navy submarines - berated Hegseth over the Pentagon's decision to move US$3.1 billion earmarked in 2026 for Columbia-class construction to 2027 and 2028. "Is that going to raise alarm bells across the defence industrial base by signaling a lack of commitment to the programme?" she asked. Hegseth committed to the "on-time" delivery of the vessels. - AFP
