US-based BWX Technologies (BWXT) announced on 20 April that it had been awarded US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme contracts totalling approximately $2.2 billion, including future-year options, for the manufacture of naval nuclear reactor components and fuel. The initial contracts were awarded in the first quarter of 2021 and will constitute approximately half of the $2.2 billion. The contract options are subject to annual Congressional appropriations and constitute the remainder of the total value.

Columbia and Virginia-class naval nuclear reactor component manufacturing and material procurement activities will be performed at BWXT Nuclear Operations Group locations in Lynchburg, Virginia; Barberton and Euclid, Ohio; and Mount Vernon, Indiana over an eight-year period beginning in 2021. Including future year options, this work is valued at more than $1.8 billion.

The balance of the work – manufacture and delivery of fuel and support activities for the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme, as well as development work for future Naval Reactors programmes – will be performed by Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin, Tennessee.

“Columbia is critical to our nation’s strategic defence requirements,” BWXT Government Operations President Dr Rob Smith said. “BWXT is pleased to support the US Navy’s top priority in achieving on-time deployment of these new ballistic missile submarines while continuing production of Virginia-class components for the Navy’s mission.”