BAE Systems has secured a $36-million production order from Lockheed Martin to manufacture multifunction modular mast (MMM) units for the US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines. The award expands ongoing collaboration between the two companies on advanced submarine sensor technology for undersea warfare requirements.
The MMM is described as an RF-based antenna system capable of detecting, scanning, and identifying enemy submarine signals before they surface. To withstand deep-water missions, the mast is housed inside a pressure-protected and corrosion-resistant composite radome, which reduces radar visibility and visual identification while submerged.
The modular architecture enables the mast system to host additional sensor payloads, allowing future upgrades and mission expansion without modifying the host submarine. Once deployed aboard Virginia submarines, the MMM will integrate with Lockheed Martin’s AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare suite, enhancing the platform’s ability to track hostile communications and underwater threats while remaining undetected.
Manufacturing, testing, and integration will be performed across several BAE Systems facilities in New Hampshire, including its Hudson, Merrimack, and Nashua sites, supporting defense sector employment and regional industrial activity.
