HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division has received a $56-million US Navy contract for engineering and design work supporting the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US.
The company said an option could increase the total value to $91 million if exercised.
Engineers and designers will contribute to SSN-AUKUS, the future nuclear-powered attack submarine that the UK and Australia plan to build for their navies.
The award also covers assistance to the two countries through the US Foreign Military Sales program.
Activities include integrating technology, providing engineering support, developing suppliers, training workers, and introducing digital tools.
HII already holds other contracts supporting Australia’s submarine plans.
These include a program to help Australian suppliers qualify for the US submarine supply chain and an award for nuclear program management and technical advisory services.
Australia’s Submarine Plans Under AUKUS
AUKUS brings together Canberra, London, and Washington to deepen defense cooperation.
Its submarine program aims to give Australia a fleet of nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines.
Under the Australian Submarine Agency’s plan, the US intends to sell Australia three Virginia-class submarines from the early 2030s.
Canberra could seek approval for up to two more if needed, providing an initial fleet while SSN-AUKUS is developed.
SSN-AUKUS will use a British design incorporating technology from all three partners.
Planned US contributions include propulsion components, weapons, and a vertical launch system that lets missiles be fired from tubes built into the submarine.
The UK and Australia will build the vessels in their own shipyards.
London plans to deliver its first SSN-AUKUS in the late 2030s, followed by Australia’s first domestically built vessel in the early 2040s.
The submarines are intended for missions including intelligence gathering, surveillance, undersea warfare, and strikes.