Blumenthal, Murphy, Courtney Applaud $520 Million Contract For Electric Boat

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) applauded the award of an advanced procurement contract for long lead materials to build two submarines each in 2015 and 2016 to Groton-based Electric Boat. The $520 million in funding awarded last night supports work on key components like the electric plans, main propulsion unit, turbine generator and other vital systems. Following passage of the a 2014 Omnibus that strongly supports steady two a year production of new submarines, this advanced procurement contract is expected to be combined with the Block IV five-year construction expected to be awarded in the coming weeks.

Blumenthal said, “This contract resoundingly recognizes that leaders and workers at EB know how to get the job done – on time, under budget – producing submarines that are a military marvel. More work at EB is great for jobs and economic growth, and it is critical to our national security. Our nation needs to continue building two subs every year – which I will fight relentlessly to do – because they'll help keep America strong and free.”

Murphy said, “The men and women at Electric Boat have once again proven their strength and ability to produce the best submarines in the world. This contract award is a huge win not only for the company, but also the tens of thousands of workers who make our defense manufacturing supply chain a rock-solid cornerstone of Connecticut’s economy.”   

“Today’s announcement is great news for our region and our nation-wide submarine industrial base,” Congressman Courtney said. “As part of the funding provided through the omnibus spending package passed last month, this long lead support for two boats each year in 2015 and 2016 is critical to sustaining the submarine production rate.  Steady two-a-year production of submarines is vital to controlling costs, maintaining efficiency and getting boats into the fleet as quickly as possible, and I look forward to future announcements on a five-year block contract in the weeks ahead.”