BWX Technologies (BWXT) has secured contracts, worth approximately $2.1bn, under the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, for the manufacture of reactor components.
The contracts cover the production of naval nuclear reactor components and material procurement for Columbia and Virginia class submarines, as well as Ford class aircraft carriers.
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Work is planned to be carried out at BWXT Nuclear Operations Group facilities in Lynchburg, Virginia; Barberton and Euclid, Ohio; and Mount Vernon, Indiana.
The project spans approximately seven years, having commenced in 2023.
Additionally, BWXT subsidiary Nuclear Fuel Services is responsible for the production and delivery of fuel and related support activities for the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
The subsidiary is carrying out this work as part of a fuel contract valued at approximately $300m was awarded and announced in October 2023. Work under the contract is expected to be completed within this year.
BWXT Nuclear Operations Group president Gary Camper said: “For more than 70 years, BWXT has proudly supported the US Navy’s mission to defend freedom and uphold security across the globe.
“These contracts represent not just our unmatched expertise in naval nuclear power but also our dedication to empowering the Navy with the tools needed to ensure the seas remain free and open.”
The US Navy plans to replace its Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines with Columbia-class submarines.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers will be gradually replaced by the Ford-class aircraft carriers.
Furthermore, the Los Angeles-class submarines will eventually be replaced by Virginia-class attack submarines in the US Navy.
As per a latest congressional report, the Navy has acquired Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines throughout the fiscal year 2024.
The Navy and the industry are collaborating to raise the Virginia-class production rate to two submarines per year by 2028, with a further increase to 2.33 submarines annually thereafter.
In the paper, the Navy has indicated that acquiring two submarines would necessitate an additional $3.225bn in the FY2025 procurement funding request for the programme.
