WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) — The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a $15.5 million contract to support the development of the future Sea Based Strategic Deterrent submarine.
Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will be tasked with providing technical engineering, design and development engineering, and test and evaluation services for the Common Missile Compartment, which will serve as the launcher system for the submarine. Launcher development services will include design, development, and evaluation.
The maximum dollar value for the contract has been set at over $198 million. Work on the missile system will be performed in several locations in California, Florida, Washington, and other locations.
The Sea Based Strategic Deterrent submarine program is part of an effort to replace the Ohio-class submarines currently in service for the U.S. Navy. The first submarine of this class is scheduled to retire in 2027, and will mark the longest serving class of submarines ever in service for the Navy.
The technology will enable the sea-based submarine to launch ballistic missiles, with work planned to continue until September 2016. The Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs is contracting the activity.
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