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The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems $22 million to produce missile canisters for Mk 41 vertical launching systems.
BAE Systems has been awarded a $22 million contract by the US Navy to produce missile canisters for the Mk 41 vertical launching systems (VLS) in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
“Missile canisters are 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,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of weapon systems at BAE Systems.
The contract could potentially reach $317 million total value if “all options are exercised”, according to the company. The contract will additionally see the company continue to manufacture the Mk 29 missile canisters, which are valuable assets for storage, shipment, and launch of missiles onboard US Navy ships.
“These continued contract awards are a testament to the expertise of our workforce in Aberdeen. Their dedication to delivering high-quality missile canisters to the US Navy and allied nations support our customers in fulfilling their missions of keeping sea lanes open and free,” Butcher said.
BAE Systems has a strong history in designing, developing and manufacturing missile canisters used in a range of launch systems. Their manufacturing work has seen canisters be used in a myriad of missile systems, such as the Tomahawk, Evolved SeaSparrow, VLS anti-submarine rockets and standard missile variants.
The Mk 41 VLS canisters provide sealed storage and transportation containers for a wide range of weapons that are compatible with BAE’s systems.
BAE Systems uses optimised engineering models to improve the canister’s performance in shock and vibration absorption, gas management, environmental safety and weapon density requirements.
