U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $6.5 Million for Virginia Payload Module Development

: Posted On Friday, 05 June 2015 12:31

Naval Industry News - USA

U.S. Navy Awards General Dynamics $6.5 Million for Virginia Payload Module Development

The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $6.5 million contract modification to support development of the Virginia Payload Module (VPM). Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.

The VPM will comprise four large-diameter payload tubes in a new hull section to be inserted in Block V Virginia-class submarines built from 2019 onward.

The VPM will comprise four large-diameter payload tubes in a new hull section to be inserted in Virginia-class submarines. The section will extended the hull by 70 to 80 feet and boost strike capacity by 230 percent while increasing the cost by less than 15 percent.

The VPM allows for distribution of strike assets, giving theater commanders greater discretion in staging payload and allowing them to more easily cover widely sperated targets. The increased volume enables wide use of Special Forces and provides flexibility for the designers of tomorrow's weapons, sensors, adjunct vehicles and other potential payloads.

Block V Virginia class SSNs with VPM will begin construction in 2019 with IOC expected in 2026. They will be able to deploy a total of 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles or a wide range of future payloads.

This modification is part of an overall engineering contract supporting the Virginia Class Submarine Program. The contract was initially awarded in 2010 and has a potential value of $965 million.

Block V Virginia class SSNs with VPM will be able to deploy a total of 28 Tomahawk cruise missiles or a wide range of future payloads.