Salem, Ohio-based Hunt Valve has been awarded a $96 million contract to supply valves for the construction of 17 submarines for the U.S. Navy.

The announcement came from Hunt Valve's parent company Fairbanks Morse Defense, which says the valves are critical for the construction of 12 new Virginia-class and five Columbia-class submarines.

The contract, which includes ship service ball valves and forged high-pressure system valves, ensures Hunt Valve's continued work on the programs for the next five years, enabling the company to invest in its workforce according to Fairbanks Morse.

The Columbia-class submarines, replacing the aging Ohio class, are 580 feet long, the largest ever built by the U.S. Navy.

They boast a cutting-edge propulsion system that makes them exceptionally quiet and stealthy. The first boat, the USS District of Columbia, is slated for delivery in October 2028.

The Virginia-class submarines feature enhanced acoustic stealth, improved weapons capabilities, and a focus on shallow-water operations.