BAE to Deliver Payload Tubes for Navy’s Virginia-Class Fleet

BAE Systems will deliver 37 missile payload tubes to the U.S. Navy as part of the service branch’s efforts to update the Virginia-class submarines’ payload modules, National Defense reported Friday.

Jason Warnke, director of launching systems and submarine programs at BAE, said the payload tubes will augment strike capacities and enable the vessels to hold up to 40 Tomahawk missiles.

“The tubes we’re providing can be … adapted to support any payload the Navy wants to put in them,” added Warnke.

BAE is slated to make the first delivery in 2020.

According to a research service report released by Congress in June, the Navy aims to equip its Virginia-class fleet with various updates and modifications through the purchase of Block V boats.