The British government has awarded another $1.93 billion to BAE Systems for its ongoing work on the UK's nuclear submarine program.
The money will fund the Astute-class craft Audacious, according to a BAE release, as part of a broader contract that includes design, construction and testing. Construction began on the boat in 2007 at Barrow-in Furness, Cumbria. The 318-foot craft is nearly half complete, with all of its pressure hull units fabricated and awaiting assembly. About half of the 5,000 people in BAE's submarine program work on the Astute program.
The British Ministry of Defense also committed an additional $2.41 billion toward the next three boats to be delivered under the Astute program. The Audacious is the fourth of seven submarines planned. It will be powered by an advanced nuclear propulsion system that will not be refueled during the craft's service life.