American firm L3Harris Technologies has announced it has just won its largest-ever U.S. Navy submarine communications contract.
Under the terms of the newly struck deal the company will provide 26 stealth communications shipsets to equip both Virginia-class attack submarines (SSNs) and the force’s forthcoming Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
The contract was awarded by the lead contractor for the two boat classes, General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB), based in Groton, Connecticut.
President of Maritime, Space and Mission Systems at L3Harris Nino DiCosmo commented: “The ability for submarines to operate undetected is vital to the U.S. Navy’s strategic advantage.”
He added: “With decades of experience in submarine technology and in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat, L3Harris will deliver highly reliable, undetectable communications systems to enhance operational effectiveness.”
A social media post added: “This award will enhance situational awareness and communications, reinforcing our commitment to the U.S. Navy’s submarine programs and strategic advantage.”
As per an L3Harris press statement, the new follow-on agreement will stretch into 2033 and may also involve submarines of allied navies; under the AUKUS agreement the U.S. plans to sell an unspecified number of Virginia-class submarines to Australia.
Construction of the Virginia-class submarines is split between GDEB and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII’s) Newport News shipyard.
Three more Virginia-class boats have been launched but are not yet in service, a further seven are in varying stages of construction, four more have been authorised, and a further five have been announced.
A total of 12 new Columbia-class submarines are currently planned at a projected cost of about $132bn; they will be built by GDEB, with HII’s Newport News serving as the main subcontractor, including taking a role in the new boats’ design and construction. The boats will become the replacements for the Ohio-class submarines which currently form the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s sea-based strategic nuclear deterrent.
So far, details of the first three Columbia-class SSBNs have been released. In September last year GDEB “laid the keel” of the second new SSBN, the future USS Wisconsin.
Construction work on the lead boat in the class, the future USS District of Columbia, began in June 2022; current estimates suggest her delivery will come between late 2028 and early 2030, with entry into service anticipated from 2031 onwards.
The submarines are expected to become the largest such vessels ever built by America; they will each carry up to 16 Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
- You can read more details about the new contract on the L3Harris website