Contracts · Submarines
Navy asks which shipyards could be prime builders for its SSN(X) attack submarine
The market survey also aims to identify future capital expenditure requirements for the planned Virginia-class successor. It commits the Navy to no solicitation or contract.
The Navy is looking for domestic shipyards interested in and capable of serving as "a prime construction yard(s)" for SSN(X), its planned successor to the Virginia-class attack submarine.2–3 The SSN(X) program office, PMS 351, issued the sources-sought notice with the Navy's directors of submarine programs and of design and construction, and Naval Sea Systems Command's Team Submarine office posted it Friday.1, 3 It is market research meant to "baseline current domestic industrial capabilities, identify future capital expenditure requirements, and inform acquisition strategies."3
The SSN(X) program office PMS 351 issued a sources sought notice to identify domestic shipyards interested and capable of serving as prime construction yard(s)
SSN(X) is the Navy's envisaged successor to the Virginia-class design
the only two U.S. shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered ships
will be reviewed by the agency if received by the closing date of this notice
no later than 1700 Eastern Daylight Time
market research to baseline domestic industrial capabilities, identify future capital expenditure requirements and inform SSN(X) acquisition strategies
The notice is not a commitment to solicit offers or award contracts
Sources: NAVSEA Team Submarine, SSN(X) sources sought notice N00135-27-SSNX, SAM.gov, Oct. 9, 2026; Congressional Research Service, IF11826. As of Oct. 11, 2026.
Sources
Today only two U.S. shipyards can build nuclear-powered ships: General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII's Newport News Shipbuilding. They build each Virginia-class boat jointly. Earlier submarines were each built entirely in one yard, and the Congressional Research Service lists which approach SSN(X) should follow among the program's issues for Congress.2 The notice's "yard(s)" leaves the number of prime yards open.3
The bar is infrastructure for "large-scale nuclear submarine construction." Prime yards must be capable of complete hull fabrication, modular outfitting, reactor compartment installation and post-delivery testing, with graving docks or floating drydocks and gantry cranes that can lift submarine modules. Any responsible source may respond, but incomplete questionnaires will not be reviewed. The program office wants detail on each candidate's capacity, drydock availability, tooling and design workforce to determine its readiness for "a long-duration capital combatant construction program."3
The Navy is asking about future capital spending for a boat whose envisaged first procurement was deferred to FY2040 in the Navy's FY2025 budget submission.2–3 Responses are due Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. Eastern, through a DoD SAFE secure link vendors must request before the notice closes. The Navy may follow up with vendors it judges capable.3
Sources (3)
- SAM.gov federal hierarchy record, organization 500204001 (Team Submarine) sam.gov
- [Congressional Research Service: Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress]( www.congress.gov
- sam.gov sam.gov