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BAE Systems to provide missile tubes to Block VI Virginia-class submarines

4th April 2025 - 11:35 GMT | by Tony Fyler in Swansea

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The Block V and Block VI Virginia-class submarine will have VPM firepower. (Photo: US Navy)

The construction of the Block V submarines is still ongoing, with none of the ten boats yet commissioned.

BAE Systems has been awarded a US$70 million contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat to produce Virginia Payload Module (VPM) missile tubes for Block VI Virginia-class submarines.

BAE Systems in the exclusive provider of VPM tubes to the US Navy. The tubes are a new addition to the Block V iteration of the US submarine, the block that began laying down keels in 2023 (four years later than originally predicted).

Most of the Block V boats will have the VPM tubes added to their design, for the firing of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Block V boats are expected to

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