GD Gets $5.9 Million Contract Modification

The U. S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $5.9 million contract modification to provide design, engineering and technical support for modification to the submarine Jimmy Carter (SSN-23). Electric Boat is now altering the Jimmy Carter, the third and final Seawolf-class submarine, to accommodate advanced technology for naval special warfare, tactical surveillance and mine warfare operations. The modifications will require changes to the basic Seawolf design in the areas of ballast control, mission-management spaces, and various services. A unique feature of the modification is the creation of a flexible ocean interface, referred to as the "wasp waist," which will enable the Navy to deploy and recover various payloads without having to use torpedo tubes. The ship is scheduled for a 2004 delivery.