Courtney Touting $13.6 Million Navy Contract For UConn Undersea Technology Research

STORRS, CT — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, (D-2nd District), is applauding a $13.6 million U.S. Navy contract awarded to the University of Connecticut for research aimed at advancing undersea vehicle technologies.

The $13,617,790 contract will fund 20 applied research projects through the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, a partnership between UConn and the University of Rhode Island, Courtney's office said.

The award is funded through fiscal 2025 defense spending included in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025.

Courtney said he advocated for continued federal support of the institute during the fiscal 2025 appropriations process, including leading a letter urging continued funding for UConn and URI's undersea vehicle research program.

“This award builds on the strong partnership UConn and URI have developed with the Navy through NIUVT and marks a deeper level of collaboration on undersea research,” Courtney said.

The institute has conducted research in partnership with the Navy for more than eight years, according to Courtney's office. The work has supported Navy and shipbuilding interests throughout Southern New England.

Courtney said NIUVT also is helping General Dynamics Electric Boat explore and transition advanced technologies for the Navy's Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs, as well as unmanned underwater vehicles and other undersea technologies.

“Today, NIUVT is helping Electric Boat explore and transition advanced technologies for the Virginia and Columbia class submarine programs, unmanned water vehicles, and other undersea technology,” Courtney said. “This new investment will deepen that collaboration and help ensure that the critical research happening in our region continues to support the Navy’s undersea fleet.”

The research funded by the contract will be conducted in Storrs, CT and Kingston, RI, with the work expected to be completed by August 2031.