DEFENSE

Navy Awards Sealift Contracts: Shipyards in Virginia and California received $1 billion in contracts for five “roll-on, roll-off” vessels for worldwide storage and transportation of U.S. military equipment. The contracts are part of the Pentagon’s move to fill gaps in the military’s ability to get tanks and other heavy supplies to far-flung trouble spots in a hurry. The National Steel & Shipbuilding Co. of San Diego was awarded a $634.9-million contract for design and conversion of three strategic ships. Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. of Virginia, a division of Tenneco Inc., received a $425.6-million contract for design and conversion of two ships.