$416-Million Contract for Shipbuilding Set

The Navy announced that it has awarded a $416-million contract to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. of Newport News, Va., to build one Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine.

Work will be performed in Newport News and is expected to be completed in May, 1995, according to the Naval Sea Systems Command, the contracting authority.

The Navy said two bids were solicited, and two offers were received before the $416-million fixed-price-incentive contract was awarded to Newport News.

The only other submarine-manufacturer in the nation is the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp. of Groton, Conn.

The Navy is seeking a total force of 66 Los Angeles-class submarines, of which 41 have been delivered.

The improved Los Angeles-class, or SSN-688, has vertical launch systems that fire Tomahawk cruise missiles.