BAE Systems has received a $22 million US Navy contract to manufacture missile canisters for the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System, the company stated.
If exercised in full, contract options could bring the total to 317 million dollars.
The announcement follows a separate award last July valued at 738 million dollars for the same class of canisters, which the company argues demonstrates its position in this segment of naval weapons support.
The contract also extends production of Mk 29 missile canisters. BAE Systems described these as essential components for storing, shipping, and firing missiles on US and allied surface combatants.
Brent Butcher, who oversees weapon systems at the company, said in the release that missile canisters serve as “the connective tissue between the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System and the various missiles that provide Sailors the capability needed to deter threats around the world.” He added that the continued awards reflect what he called the experience and reliability of the firm’s Aberdeen workforce.
The announcement places the new work within a longer production record. According to the company, it has spent more than three decades designing, developing, and supporting all missile canisters used in the Mk 41 and Mk 57 systems. That portfolio includes canisters for Tomahawk, multiple Standard Missile variants, Evolved SeaSparrow, and Vertical Launched Anti-Submarine Rockets used by the United States and ten allied navies.
BAE Systems said it is continuing to invest in both launcher-related manufacturing and integration work for future missile types linked to the Mk 41 system and the Adaptable Deck Launching System.
When I first saw this I hoped beyond hope that this was a MK41 order for the RN – clearly not. 🇬🇧👎
MK41 are already on order for the RN !.
Only orders for the first 3 T26, nothing else has been announced, certainly not for T31
Not stating USN is a bit naughty really. Most of the readership here is probably British, so the site will know what’s it doing.
Exactly my point it is after all the UK Defence Journal ! As for MK41 I will only get excited when we hear something more about T31. As it stands Venturer is looking like she will go down in history as the largest least well armed warship to ever enter service in ANY fleet. Even by UK standards and history of under arming our ships very poor indeed.
As a BAE shareholder it gets me excited !!
How many sets is that Paul? Does our existing order cover all T26 or just the initial 3/4 T26? Does it cover T31 also?
A simple search says that 9 Eight Cell MK41 are on order for the initial 3 Batch 1 Type 26 Frigates,more orders will follow for the Batch 2, and the Upgrade of the Type 31 Frigates.
Thanks
FFS I thought this was RN.
Stupid me…😢
Type 41 launch system has several parts the part fixed to the ship can be used multiple times and is the same irrespective of missile used. But the canisters are the box which fits in the permanently fitted to the ship part of the system and which present a standard outward format to the ship while being internally designed for each particular missile or group of missiles for example quad packed CAMM.
The UK will fit the type 41 system launchers to its vessels and others have confirmed that the ship fitted part has been ordered for three type 26 frigates.
Orders for canisters would need to follow one per missile for large missiles and one per four for CAMM. The UK will need hundreds of canisters to load with the various missiles it may wish to use in the type 41 system.. Missiles will be loaded into canisters in the factories.