BAE Systems has landed a $36-million contract from Lockheed Martin to produce multifunction modular mast (MMM) units for the US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines.
The MMM serves as a radio-frequency antenna system that scans, categorizes, and maps signals emitted by enemy submarines before they break the surface.
It is protected by a “pressure-rated, corrosion-resistant” composite radome engineered to withstand deep-water environments and reduce the structure’s visual and radar footprint.
The mast’s architecture is modular, allowing it to host additional sensor payloads for evolving mission requirements.
When installed on Virginia-class boats, the MMM will integrate with Lockheed Martin’s AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare system, giving submarines strengthened sensing capabilities to detect and monitor hostile communications while remaining underwater.
Assembly and production activities will be conducted across BAE’s New Hampshire sites, including those in Hudson, Merrimack, and Nashua.
