Navy Rear Adm. John Butler responds to a technical question from a reporter during an Aug. 14, 2003, Pentagon press briefing on the details of a newly signed contract to acquire six Virginia Class submarines. Butler and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition John J. Young Jr. (left) briefed reporters on the groundbreaking contract signed with General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., in partnership with Northrop Grumman's Newport News Shipbuilding. Upon Congressional authorization and appropriation, the contract, valued at up to $8.7 billion, will award one submarine per year from 2003 through 2006 and two submarines in 2007. Butler is the submarine program executive officer.