General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $300 million U.S. Navy contract for various work on the fleet of Virginia-class submarines.

The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract covers lead yard services, development studies and design efforts for the class.

Lead yard services will involve maintaining, updating and supporting the Virginia class design and related drawings and data for each boat, including technology insertion, throughout its construction and post shakedown availability period.

The contract also calls for the provision of all engineering and the related lead yard services necessary for direct maintenance and support of Virginia-class ship specifications.

Work will be performed in Connecticut, Virginia and Rhode Island and has an expected completion date of September 2017.

Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity.

The Virginia class is the Navy's next-generation attack submarine, with boats slated to replace those in the aging Los Angeles class.