BAE Systems has been awarded a £75 million contract to continue producing propulsors for the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarine programme, according to a press release.
The contract includes the delivery of Propulsor Forward Assemblies, along with design engineering support services and sustainment hardware, ensuring the continued development of vital submarine components.
The agreement continues BAE Systems’ long-standing involvement in providing propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet, a role the company has held for over three decades.
Brent Butcher, Vice President and General Manager of Weapon Systems at BAE Systems, spoke of the company’s experience in the field, stating in the press release, “We remain committed to building high-quality, reliable submarine structures and systems in support of U.S. Navy shipbuilding requirements.”
Butcher also highlighted the firm’s capability to take on more complex submarine assemblies, reinforcing its contribution to the U.S. Navy’s strategic submarine industrial base.
The production of these propulsors will take place at BAE Systems’ Submarine Centre of Excellence in Louisville, Kentucky, which has become central to the company’s efforts in delivering heavy and complex submarine structures. This facility is already integral in producing propulsion systems, as well as the Virginia Payload Module launch tubes, enabling Virginia-class submarines to deploy Tomahawk missiles and other payloads.
In addition to its Louisville site, BAE Systems will provide engineering and business support from its Minneapolis office. The company has already delivered 33 forward assemblies for the Virginia-class programme and continues to strengthen its role in the U.S. Navy’s submarine industrial base, supporting both the Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarine projects.
Someone on here once said the US was allergic to buying anything designed or developed abroad due NIH syndrome (not invented here).
I have said this before but US/UK Submarine tech has been a 2 way process for decades and is very mutually beneficial.
And for those who scream “why aren’t they built here” don’t we build lots of other bits that are !
I am beginning to wonder if BAe is keeping a close eye on as much commonality as possible for the SSN(A) design with as much modular flexibility as possible. 🤔
Well said
And there was me thinking that British submarines were really just American tech, designed by Electric boat and dressed in a Union Jack and the Virginia SSN was clearly decades ahead of Astute as there was no way the British could add any meaningful technology to the American submarines. Bearing in mind British submarines in the 70’s had pump jets and most other western navy’s only just caught up and Russia still doesn’t have them as standard. I’m sure the little pinks and Russia bots will be along shortly to remind us how shit we are and that we not… Read more »
There is nothing more pathetic than a defeatist. I am sure they will be along soon as you say, to offer their little whimpers of pessimism.