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.

U.S. Navy to name SSN 798 submarine USS Massachusetts
Washington (UPI) Nov 11, 2015 –

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that future Virginia-class attack submarine SSN 798 will be named USS Massachusetts.

According to Mabus, the vessel's namesake will honor the history of the U.S. Navy in the state of Massachusetts, dating to the founding of the branch in 1775. Following the Navy's founding, one of the first 14 shipyards was established in Boston. The Boston Naval Hospital, one of the first three hospitals to specifically care for naval personnel, opened in 1836.

"A ship's naming is the first milestone in bringing it to life," Mabus said in a statement. "And here continues the long tradition of strong connection between the people of Massachusetts and our Navy."

USS Massachusetts will be the fifth vessel to carry its name in the U.S. Navy. The Virginia-class of attack submarines are designed for offensive combat missions, fitted for stealth and surveillance operations. Weapons include Tomahawk cruise missiles, making the submarines ideal for anti-submarine warfare as well as anti-surface warfare. They can also be used for mine delivery and minefield mapping.

The submarine will be built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in coordination with Hunginton Ingalls Industries's Newport News Shipbuilding division.