U.S. Navy Orders $22 Billion of Nuclear Submarines

WASHINGTON, DC —The U.S. Navy is buying nuclear powered Virginia-class submarines for $22 billion dollars.

The massive contract was awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding.

The Navy is looking to maintain dominance over China's growing Navy.

Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly says the submarine force is "fundamental to the power and reach of their integrated naval force."

The Navy is also phasing out the Los Angeles-class submarines, and replacing them with Virginia-class submarines.

“Virginia-class submarines, which are being built to replace the Los Angeles-class submarines as they are retired, incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations that increase firepower, maneuverability and stealth, and significantly enhance their warfighting capabilities,” HII said in the press release. “These submarines are capable of supporting multiple mission packages and can operate at submerged speeds of more than 25 knots for months at a time.”

According the Navy’s website, “Attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF); carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.”

The Navy has three classes of attack submarines in service which make the back