WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Electric Boat will also maintain, update, and support the Virginia Class design and related drawings and data for each Virginia Class submarine including technology insertion throughout its construction and Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) period, the release noted.
"Electric Boat was awarded a $300,610,855 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Lead Yard Services and will provide all engineering and related Lead Yard Services necessary for direct maintenance and support of Virginia Class ship specifications," the release stated.
PSA refers to a time period after the shakedown cruise during which equipment defects noted on the cruise are repaired.
The work will take place primarily at the Groton ship yard in the US state of Connecticut and is to be completed by September 2017, the release added.
Virginia Class submarines are fast attack vessels that can operate in deep or shallow water and are specially outfitted to carry US Navy SEALS and their submersible craft.
The submarines will be operational until 2070.
