BAE Systems has secured a $36m contract from Lockheed Martin to supply Multifunction Modular Mast (MMM) systems for integration onto US Navy’s new Virginia-class submarines.
The MMM system, which is a radio frequency antenna, will work with Lockheed Martin’s AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare (EW) system to help submarines to detect, identify, and direction-find adversary communications signals before surfacing.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
According to BAE Systems, the antenna will provide a secondary method of detecting nearby threats, supplementing the information gathered by radar and sonar.
BAE Systems maritime sensors and systems programme area director Michael Rottman said: “In dynamic and contested environments, stealth is key, and submarines rely on accurate communications signal information to make decisions quickly.
“The Multifunction Modular Mast system equips US Navy submarines with critical capabilities to locate and identify potential threats, enabling them to analyse and respond accordingly.”
BAE Systems stated that the antenna is housed in a composite radome with pressure-rated and corrosion-resistant features intended for use in severe undersea environments.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe system includes a payload module that supports the addition of further sensors for varied mission requirements.
BAE Systems has been developing maritime and communications technologies such as antennas, acoustic transducers, and sensors for submarine fleets.
Production of the MMM system is taking place at its facilities in Hudson, Merrimack, and Nashua, all located in New Hampshire.
The MMM system contributes to electromagnetic spectrum control and situational awareness by offering operators an additional means to detect nearby adversaries beyond the capabilities of radar and sonar.
The US Navy’s Virginia-class submarines are developed by a partnership involving Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat.
In November 2025, NNS delivered Massachusetts (SSN 798), the 25th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to the US Navy.
