# 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. Published 2026-10-12 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/12/navy-asks-which-shipyards-could-be-prime-builders-for/ 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] Today only two U.S. shipyards can build nuclear-powered ships: General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII's Newport News Shipbuilding.[2] They build each Virginia-class boat jointly.[2] 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."[3] 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.[3] Any responsible source may respond, but incomplete questionnaires will not be reviewed.[3] 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] ## Why it matters 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.[3] The Navy may follow up with vendors it judges capable.[3] ## Sources 1. SAM.gov federal hierarchy record, organization 500204001 (Team Submarine) 2. [Congressional Research Service: Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress]( 3. sam.gov