BAE Systems has been awarded a $38.2 million contract modification from the US Navy to supply additional missile canisters for the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), the company announced on 6 April.
BAE Systems will provide over 300 canisters of different configurations that will be used to transport, store and launch various kinds of guided missiles from ships.
The canisters hold rocket motor exhaust, serve as a launch rail to support flyout during missile firings, and provide identification and firing support to multiple missile types, including the Tomahawk, Standard Missile-3, Standard Missile-6, and Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. The canisters are positioned within the Mk 41 VLS, which is located below a ship’s armoured deck for maximum protection.
The full canister contract is a five-year base plus options contract that was originally awarded in 2013. The contract covers canister requirements for the US Navy through fiscal year 2017.
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