Goodrich Corporation will manufacture lightweight, composite sail cusps for the US Navy’s eight Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarines under a contract awarded by Northrop Grumman.

The sail cusp is a composite structure attached to the submarine sail and hull that improves hydrodynamic performance by allowing smooth laminar flow of water over its surface.

Deliveries of the lightweight fairings to the eight submarines collectively known as block III will continue until 2013.

The US Navy’s Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarine undertakes a wide range of missions including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare, transporting special operation forces, mine warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.