General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $171.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy to provide lead-yard services for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

      Electric Boat will have to maintain and update design drawings and data, including technology insertions, for each Virginia-class submarine throughout its construction and post-shakedown availability periods under the given contract. Also the Electric Boat will perform research and development work required to evaluate new technology to be inserted in newly built Virginia-class ships.

      The contract has a potential cumulative value of $881 million through 2014 if all options are exercised and funded.