A British defense firm is set to make missile tubes for the United States’ Block VI Virginia-class submarines.
BAE Systems has received a $70 million contract for the production of missile tubes, which add significant firepower to submarines.
It can boost the payload capacity of Virginia-class submarines with its ability to launch up to seven Tomahawks or future missile variants.
Missile tubes deliver critical firepower
“These missile tubes deliver critical firepower to the Virginia-class submarine fleet, a cornerstone to U.S. national security,” said Charles Lewis, director of Submarine Programs for Platforms & Services at BAE Systems.
“Continuing to manufacture VPMs at our Louisville, Kentucky, facility maintains our strong support to the industrial base, while also ensuring Sailors receive the capability they need to protect our country.”
Built by highly skilled, deeply experienced workforce
The submarine’s complex structures are built by the highly skilled and deeply experienced workforce at the Louisville facility.
BAE Systems also revealed that its skilled manufacturing workforce will continue delivering firepower to the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet.
The company’s facility also builds the propulsor for the Virginia-class submarine, as well as a heavy propulsor structure for the Columbia-class submarine. BAE Systems has the manufacturing capability and capacity to take on additional work building submarine structures to further support the U.S. Navy.
Vertical missile launch tubes
Built jointly by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division, the Virginia-class submarines are equipped with 12 vertical missile launch tubes and four 533mm torpedo tubes.
With a submerged displacement of 7,300 tons, the submarines’ feature a hull measuring 377 feet (ft) in length and 34ft in beam.
Advanced systems help seek and destroy enemy vessels
With the help of advanced systems, the submarines can seek and destroy enemy vessels and carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
With the help of advanced systems, the submarines can seek and destroy enemy vessels and carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.
The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral — or coastal — operations. The class has special features to support Special Operation Forces (SOF), including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments, as well as future off-board payloads.
Reports revealed that through the extensive use of modular construction, open architecture, and commercial off-the-shelf components, the Virginia class is designed to remain state-of-the-practice for its entire operational life through the rapid introduction of new systems and payloads.
The U.S. Navy also highlighted that most of the changes are found in the bow where the traditional, air-backed sonar sphere has been replaced with a water-backed Large Aperture Bow array, which reduces acquisition and life-cycle costs while providing enhanced passive detection capabilities.