The U.S. military has allocated nearly $1 billion to boost the submarine-building industry through third parties. The Navy awarded a contract to BlueForge Alliance, a Texas-based nonprofit, for U.S. Submarine Industrial Base planning and resourcing. This brings Pentagon spending on third-party assistance for submarine suppliers to nearly $4 billion. The contract aims to strengthen the submarine industrial base and improve defense manufacturing through technologies like 3D-printing and robotics.
BlueForge will receive over half of the contract value in fiscal 2024 funds to help suppliers increase efficiency and cut costs. The company will track talent attraction, hiring, and delivery timelines for crucial parts. They will also measure the impact of advanced manufacturing technologies on Navy’s submarine construction goals. Rep. Joe Courtney praised the partnership between the Navy, shipbuilders, and BlueForge to strengthen the submarine industrial base.
