Submarine Industrial Base Council (SIBC)

Washington Post, Nuclear submarines, crucial for U.S. defense and in short supply Op-ed by George F. Will "The nuclear submarines built here at Newport News Shipyard and at General Dynamics Electric Boat works in Groton, Conn., stealthily carry vast lethality that can deter occasions for unleashing it. The submarines are assembled to completion in both places. They are magnificent examples of applied intelligence, with a beauty akin to that of old-time clipper ships, those elegant mergers of form and function. A potentially lethal problem is that U.S. submarines might be too few to keep global peace during today’s multifront assault on geopolitical rationality. Jerry Hendrix, retired Navy captain and senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute, wrote in American Affairs that the U.S. nuclear submarine fleet was 140 boats at its Cold War high, when everywhere Soviet submarines turned, they “found themselves being monitored and tracked” by U.S. submarines."

Photos from the Inaugural SIBC Supplier Engagement Day at General Dynamics Electric Boat. Michael Cortese Beth Rafferty Michelle Azzinaro Lauren Yancey

Inaugural SIBC Supplier Engagement Day at General Dynamics Electric Boat Michael Cortese Lauren Yancey Michelle Azzinaro Beth Rafferty

White House Wants an Extra $2B for FY24 Virginia-class Subs, Attack Boat Pair Could Cost $11.3B "The White House is asking Congress for $1.95 billion to make up for a price gap for two submarines already funded as part of the congressional Fiscal Year 2024 budget, USNI News has learned. The request was included in a list of anomalies the White House asked Congress to support in the event the government is funded by a continuing resolution past the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30."

One of the US Navy’s newest attack submarines, the future USS IDAHO (SSN 799), was launched from General Dynamics Electric Boat’s shipyard into the Thames River on August 6, 2024. The launch, also known as “float off,” marks a construction milestone in the life of a ship, when it moves from the shipbuilder’s facilities and into the water for the first time to begin final outfitting, testing, and crew certification Submarine sponsor Terry Stackley christened the boat on March 16, 2024. The submarine began construction in 2017 and will be the 26th Virginia-class fast attack submarine to deliver to the fleet and the fifth U.S. Navy ship named for the state. The last ship named Idaho was battleship BB 42, commissioned in 1919. “IDAHO will be a valuable national asset and source of pride for our Sailors, the shipbuilders, and all Americans for years to come,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia Class Submarine program manager.

Over the weekend, we had to say goodbye to Sen. McNeill, one of the best advocates for the submarine industrial base. Shelia was a trailblazer and it is with love and respect, that we send our deepest sympathies to her family. Our gratitude for Sen. McNeill's longtime friendship and support cannot be overstated. Sheila was truly one of a kind.

Congratulations Mark Rayha!

"The United States will soon upgrade its submarine force at a crucial military hub in the Western Pacific Ocean, Newsweek has learned, a decision that comes amid China's rapid naval buildup and its expanded operations at sea further from its shores. The Virginia-class USS Minnesota, a nuclear-powered but conventionally armed cruise missile fast attack submarine, is scheduled to conduct a change of home port from Hawaii to Guam in the new fiscal year beginning on October 1, Lt. Cmdr. Rick Moore, a spokesperson for the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander's principal adviser on submarine affairs, said in response to an emailed inquiry."

"The White House on Tuesday released a statement taking aim at several measures in the House’s fiscal 2025 defense policy bill ahead of votes scheduled for later this week. While the statement praised the House Armed Services Committee for its “strong, bipartisan” work on the $884 billion bill, it raised objections to some of its provisions on shipbuilding, the creation of an Army drone corps, missile defense, and pricing transparency for defense contractors. . . .For instance, the draft FY25 defense spending bill – which the Appropriations Committee is set to mark up on Thursday – does not fund the policy bill’s $1 billion authorization in incremental funding for a second Virginia-class attack submarine. In doing so, defense appropriators have sided with the White House and Navy in their decision to fund the procurement of just one Virginia-class submarine for FY25 due to production delays instead of the usual two vessels. “The authorization of incremental funding for a second [Virginia-class submarine] would result in a significant unplanned bill in FY26, competing for funding with additional [submarine industrial base investments] and Columbia-class submarines,” noted the White House statement. “This will force the Navy to make reductions in other priorities to accommodate the balance of funds for the second FY25″ submarine. Instead, the Biden administration “encourages Congress to fully support the near-term submarine industrial base investments proposed in the president’s FY25 budget request.”

As the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base recruits and trains the next generation of skilled tradespeople, we're excited to partner with SME to address critical gaps in the defense manufacturing workforce. Together, we will upskill the current workforce, raise industry awareness, expand the ready-to-hire talent pool, and inspire the next generation of manufacturing talent. Learn more about our efforts: bit.ly/3Ku5eki