Leonardo DRS has received a $45 million US Navy submarine industrial base (SIB) investment commitment through contracts with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding.
The investment is expected to expand the capabilities of DRS’s new, 140,000 square-foot naval propulsion manufacturing facility currently under-construction in Goose Creek, SC, and includes capital equipment and other infrastructure enhancements.
"The $45 million SIB investment will serve as a catalyst for a 40,000 square-foot expansion of the facility in support of capabilities critical to current and future US Navy nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers," said Leonardo.
This investment builds on several navy-funded engineering contracts, including Newport News Shipbuilding, and from General Dynamics Electric Boat previously issued to Leonardo DRS.
"These contracts, combined with internal investments, will strengthen steam turbine system design, manufacture, integration, and test capabilities, including steam turbine generators."
The Leonardo DRS purpose-built facility is expected to open in 2026 and will grow the company’s naval propulsion capability and streamline its support of the Columbia-class submarine program.
The company is currently producing the Columbia-class electric propulsion system components, including the main propulsion motor, the main propulsion drives, and main propulsion controller, and other components in addition to similar systems for international allied navies.