Curtiss-Wright Corp., the New Jersey-based manufacturer with operations producing engineered components to numerous industrial markets, has a new contract to supply valves to the U.S. Navy for its Virginia class submarines, and various other nuclear-powered ships. "We are very pleased to have been awarded this additional work, which continues Curtiss-Wright's ongoing support for U.S. naval defense programs," stated chairman and CEO Martin R. Benante. "The Virginia class submarine program is a critical component of our national defense and these contracts provide important long-lead nuclear components that enable the continuation of submarine construction."
The company estimated the value of the new business at greater than $40 million. Curtiss-Wright’s Flow Control plant in East Farmingdale, N.Y., will perform the work, delivering components from 2013 through 2017.
The Virginia class is a series of nuclear-powered, “fast attack” submarines designed to operate in open seas or near shore (aka “littoral” missions.) The subs have been in production since 2000 — 20 have been commissioned out of a planned 64 units — and each vessel carries an estimated production cost of $2.4 billion.
The new work was assigned by Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc. and General Dynamics Electric Boat, one of the Virginia class program’s primary contractors.
Curtis-Wright detailed that new business is the latest release of work under a contract previously awarded for the Virginia class submarines. But, the award from BPMI also includes a new order for spare components as an addition to the base contract. The company is a longtime supplier to the U.S. Navy, particularly for nuclear propulsion systems for submarines and aircraft carriers.
"Since the inception of nuclear powered ships, Curtiss-Wright's commitment to providing the most advanced and reliable technologies has ensured our continued participation in this defense program," according to Benante.
