GROTON, Conn., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $23.7 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to prepare for the post-shakedown availability (PSA) on the nuclear submarine New Hampshire (SSN-778). Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The PSA, which will comprise maintenance, repairs, alterations and testing, will be performed in Groton and is expected to begin in February. Up to 800 employees will be engaged in the work, which is scheduled for completion in September 2010.

New Hampshire, the fifth ship of the Virginia Class, was delivered to the Navy in August 2008. Electric Boat and its construction teammate, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, have received contracts to produce a total of 18 Virginia-class submarines. Thirty ships are planned altogether.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 91,700 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Electric Boat