The long-term future of thousands of Rhode Island manufacturing employees looks bright now that General Dynamics Electric Boat has secured a $9.5 billion contract from the U.S. Navy.
The company, which operates a manufacturing facility at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, won the contract for the first two Columbia-class submarines. And members of the state’s congressional delegation are confident that the change in administration at the White House won’t jeopardize the work.
The contract, announced Nov. 5, covers the construction and testing of the first submarine, to be called the USS Columbia, and the advance procurement, construction and engineering of a second submarine, the USS Wisconsin.
The ships will take years to complete, with the first scheduled to be delivered by Electric Boat in 2027. The second would follow two years later, said Kevin Graney, the company president.
Electric Boat, which has facilities in Rhode Island and Groton, Conn., was named the prime contractor for the Columbia series in 2016.
The Columbia class, which eventually will total 12 vessels, is meant to replace the retiring Ohio class of ballistic missile submarines, according to the Navy.
What does the new contract mean for Rhode Island?
About half of the $9.5 billion will go to EB’s suppliers and to direct payments to employees, according to Graney, who said as many as 6,000 employees are expected to be working on the Columbia ships in North Kingstown by next June. The company employs about 4,000 people there now.
The contract will require annual appropriations by Congress, according to the office of U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate appropriations and armed services committees.
“Multiyear contracts of this nature are always subject to future appropriations,” said Reed spokesman Chip Unruh. “As an authorizer and appropriator, Sen. Reed has worked to help establish and launch this program and will continue working to see it funded because it is absolutely critical to U.S. national security.”
A funding bill approved by the U.S. House in late September included money for the program, according to a statement from U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin, D-R.I.
When asked about the prospect of a new administration on Nov. 6, Reed said he was confident now-President-elect Joe Biden will support Navy infrastructure.
“This program is critical to maintaining our nation’s nuclear deterrence,” Reed said. “These submarines will be on patrol for decades to come.”
Graney said work on the Columbia class has already reached 2 million work hours. Construction on the missile compartment, the forward engine room and the decks is well under way. About 50% of the hull cylinders for the first submarine are complete.
These sections are being built in Rhode Island and will be assembled in Connecticut, he said.
Despite delays associated with healthy and safety amid the coronavirus pandemic, Electric Boat is continuing to hire and train employees for positions, including pipefitters, electricians and welders.
“We’ve been slowed a little bit because of COVID-19,” Graney said. “Training has slowed down. We have 350 more [people] to go this year. … There is a backlog of applicants. It’s our job to turn those applicants into shipbuilders.”
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.
