In April, the Navy awarded the largest single shipbuilding contract in its history to Electric Boat for the construction of 10 Virginia-class nuclear-attack submarines.

The total 10-ship Block IV contract is for $17.6 billion over five years and calls for two new ships per year over the next five years. Under the contract, the Navy will save $2 billion and get 10 attack submarines for roughly the price of nine.

The work will continue to be jointly performed by EB and Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. The two companies build certain parts and large modules for each boat, and each build the reactor compartment and perform final assembly of the boats they deliver.

The contract earned U.S. Rep. Joe-Courtney, D-2nd District, the nickname "Two-Sub Joe." Courtney and U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy pushed heavily for the contract in Washington.

- Julia S. Bergman