BAE Systems to provide missile tubes to Block VI Virginia-class submarines
The Block V and Block VI Virginia-class submarine will have VPM firepower. (Photo: US Navy)
The construction of the Block V submarines is still ongoing, with none of the ten boats yet commissioned.
BAE Systems has been awarded a US$70 million contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat to produce Virginia Payload Module (VPM) missile tubes for Block VI Virginia-class submarines.
BAE Systems in the exclusive provider of VPM tubes to the US Navy. The tubes are a new addition to the Block V iteration of the US submarine, the block that began laying down keels in 2023 (four years later than originally predicted).
Most of the Block V boats will have the VPM tubes added to their design, for the firing of Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The Block V boats are expected to
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