General Atomics Provides Navy With Bearing Support Structure for Columbia-Class Submarine

<p><br/></p><p style="text-align: justify;">General Atomics‘ electromagnetic systems business has handed over the <a href="https://www.wswbearings.com/products/catalogue.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 112, 192); text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 112, 192);"><strong>bearing</strong></span></a> support structure of what would become the&nbsp;U.S. Navy’s first Columbia-class submarine.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br/></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The company said Wednesday it tailored the delivery to specifications and scheduling requirements under a contract awarded in 2019 by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br/></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Navy also issued a delivery order in September last year for a second BSS. General Atomics has commenced the second unit’s production in Tupelo,&nbsp;Mississippi, and expects the delivery to take place in late 2023, as the Navy plans to build the second Columbia-class vessel in fiscal year 2024.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br/></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Scott Forney, president of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, said the company combined its engineering, manufacturing, machining, quality and welding expertise to meet the BSS delivery requirements.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br/></p><p style="text-align: justify;">“The Navy has stated that the BSS is the largest nickel-copper weldment built to such exacting specifications ever created in the U.S.,” Forney added.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br/></p><p><br/></p>