The US Navy is looking to replace its submarine tenders like USS Frank Cable (pictured here), which was commissioned in 1979. (US Navy)
US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) a USD20.5 million contract modification on 9 July to further mature the design of a next-generation submarine tender for the US Navy (USN), NAVSEA confirmed.
The sole-source modification covers 12 months of design development for the AS(X) Submarine Tender Recapitalization Program.
This activity is seen as the precursor to a full detailed design and construction (DD&C) contract for the first of three planned AS(X) vessels.
The AS(X) programme is intended to deliver a new capability to replace the USN's ageing Emory S Land-class submarine tenders, USS Emory S Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40), both of which were commissioned in 1979.
Based at Guam in the Pacific, these ships provide expeditionary intermediate-level maintenance and repairs, as well as hotel service and logistics support to deployed nuclear-powered guided missile and attack submarines in the 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
The ships also can provide repair and logistics services to deployed surface combatants and other ships.
NAVSEA had intended to run a full and open competition for the AS(X) DD&C phase, and in April 2022 awarded AS(X) concept refinement and preliminary design contracts to L3Harris Technologies, NASSCO, and HII. These parallel awards funded all three companies to develop an AS(X) ship specification, interface specifications, ship cost estimates, and ship construction schedules to inform NAVSEA's follow-on acquisition effort.
However, both L3Harris and HII last year decided against bidding for the follow-on DD&C phase, leaving San Diego-based NASSCO as the only viable source.
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