US Navy awards $5B to finish ballistic-missile sub design

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The U.S. Navy has awarded a $5 billion contract to General Dynamics’ Electric Boat to finish designing a new class of ballistic-missile submarines so construction can start. The Navy called the program its top priority because ballistic-missile submarines help deter nuclear war. An Electric Boat official says the award keeps the program on track. The Connecticut-based company is designing 12 Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines to replace the current fleet o