BAE Systems received a $70 million contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat, announced April 2, 2025, to produce Virginia Payload Module missile tubes for Block VI Virginia-class submarines. BAE Systems manufactures the VPM tubes at its Louisville, Kentucky facility, which also produces the propulsor for the Virginia-class submarine and a heavy propulsor structure for the Columbia-class submarine.
What it means
The contract continues production of VPM tubes at the Louisville facility, with each tube capable of launching up to seven Tomahawks or future missile variants. Charles Lewis, Director of Submarine Programs for Platforms & Services at BAE Systems, said the tubes “deliver critical firepower to the Virginia-class submarine fleet, a cornerstone to U.S. national security,” and that continued manufacturing at Louisville “maintains our strong support to the industrial base, while also ensuring Sailors receive the capability they need to protect our country.”
Key facts
- Contract value: $70 million
- Contracting party: General Dynamics Electric Boat
- Recipient: BAE Systems
- Product: Virginia Payload Module missile tubes
- Platform: Block VI Virginia-class submarines
- Manufacturing location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Missile capacity per tube: up to 7 Tomahawks or future missile variants
- Louisville facility also produces the Virginia-class propulsor and a Columbia-class heavy propulsor structure
Source: BAE Systems news release (PR Newswire)