Ranking Member Courtney Statement on New $15.4B Columbia-class Program Contract for Electric Boat

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement on the U.S. Navy's new $15.4 billion contract modification for the Columbia-class submarine program awarded to Electric Boat.

"This contract will support Electric Boat's advanced construction and procurement of long-lead items for the third Columbia-class submarine, the USS Groton (SSBN 828), as well as development and engineering work for future Columbia submarines as the lead shipyard for the Columbia-class," Courtney said. "The contract also reinforces the need for the Navy to award not just preliminary construction, but full construction contracts for the USS Groton and additional Columbia-class submarines, which Congress authorized in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act. An advanced construction contract only goes so far. Full construction contracts will reach the full submarine industrial base and deliver the needed demand signal for suppliers and shipbuilders to ramp up production going into the 2030s."

BACKGROUND

In the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress provided contracting authority to the Navy for five additional Columbia-class submarines, including the third Columbia-class submarine, the USS Groton (SSBN 828).

Construction work is currently underway by Electric Boat on the USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826) and the USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), the first two Columbia-class submarines.

In addition to Columbia-class construction contracts, Courtney has been calling on the Navy to award the delayed contract for Block VI Virginia-class submarines, which Congress authorized in 2023.

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