Huntington Ingalls To Modernize USS Columbus Submarine

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has won a $57.8 million contract to perform planning for maintaining as well as modernizing USS Columbus submarine.

If all contract options are exercised, the total value of the work would be $288 million, the company announced Tuesday.

The contract work will include maintenance and restoration of the ship's hull structure, tanks, propulsion systems, electric plant, auxiliary systems, armament and furnishings, as well as numerous ship alterations.

Work will begin immediately and is expected to be completed in May 2019. 

"Modernization and maintenance of our nation's submarines is vital to the readiness of our Navy partner," said Jim Hughes, Newport News Shipbuilding's vice president, submarines and fleet support.

Newport News is one of only two US shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered submarines and has completed hundreds of ship repair projects for the US government, ranging from paint repair to complete hull and machinery renovation.