Navy: ~$16.2B to build Virginia-class (Block III) attack submarines — a contract with Electric Boat (USAspending)

1Construction of Virginia-class Block III

The Virginia class is the Navy's newest class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, and "Block III" is a design-improved batch within it. The builder, Electric Boat, is General Dynamics's shipbuilding subsidiary and one of the core firms building U.S. submarines.

2What a block means in shipbuilding

In shipbuilding, ships of the same class are often divided into groups — blocks, or flights — with design refinements and procurement terms revisited group by group. Block III is one such division of the Virginia class. The record says only construction of Virginia-class Block III submarines; the ship names, the number of hulls, and what the refinements consist of are not recorded.

3Undersea advantage as the stake

4Buy one at a time, or buy a block

In shipbuilding, hulls of one class are grouped into blocks, with design improvements and procurement terms reviewed at each grouping. Block III is one such division of the Virginia class.

The source summary reads only "construction of Virginia class Block III submarines," recording neither hull names nor counts nor what was improved. Electric Boat, the recipient, is the shipbuilding subsidiary of General Dynamics and one of the core firms carrying US submarine construction. Undersea advantage is an area of growing weight in security, and this contract funds its foundation.