The Navy Friday awarded Northrop Grumman [NOC] Newport News, Newport News a $595.9 million modification to previously awarded contract for the continuation of CVN-78 class design effort; long-lead time material procurement; and non-nuclear advance construction for the USS Gerald R. Ford lead ship of the class, according to the service.

The contract includes system development, engineering services, and feasibility studies for the Future Aircraft Carrier Program, the Navy said.

Northrop Grumman Newport News will provide all services and material in preparation for construction of CVN-78 including necessary research studies; engineering; design; related development efforts, including required engineering development models and prototypes for engineered components; advanced planning; advanced procurement for detailed design and procurement/fabrication of long-lead material; advanced construction; system specifications; design weight estimate; logistics data; lists of government-furnished equipment; production planning; further definition of initiatives to reduce CVN-78 class total ownership costs; and other data to support an integrated product data environment for the CVN-21 program, the Navy said..

Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by July 2008.