General Dynamics Secures $43.2M Boost for Advanced Submarine Fire Control Tech in Columbia/Dreadnought Class

The U.S. Navy has recently granted a contract amendment to General Dynamics Mission Systems encompassing an extensive array of tasks for the Columbia and Dreadnought ballistic missile submarine series to facilitate development, production, and installation needs. This $43.2M assignment consists of development, production, installation, and deployed-systems support specifically for the Columbia/Dreadnaught (CLB/UKD) class of U.S. and U.K. submarine strategic weapon systems and subsystems, aligning with one of the major expansions of manufacturing capabilities at the Pittsfield, Massachusetts facility.

General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Maritime and Strategic Systems sector will provide fire control systems for the U.S. Navy’s inaugural Columbia class submarine (US01) and the first U.S. Columbia class training center (Kings Bay Trident Training Facility) along with installation assistance and pre-deployment preparations for both U.S. and U.K. locations. This contract also encompasses CLB/UKD design finalization and the ongoing design efforts for the initial planned upgrade of the CLB/UKD fire control system, as well as design assistance for CLB/UKD coordination at the KB-TTF and procurement of the infrastructure materials to support the new Trident Training Facility laboratories. The majority of the tasks related to this contract will occur in Pittsfield.

“In November, we commemorated with our Navy partner, 65 years of remarkable support towards our Nation’s Strategic Deterrent Mission,” stated Laura Hooks, vice president of General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Strategic Systems division. “We are embarking on the next phase of development and production for the Navy’s fire control system on the latest fleet of submarines that will sustain this deterrent capability for another 65 years.”