“This unique, ship-like facility will minimize impact on ships’ operational availability,” said Paul Melancon, project lead. “It will provide future payload integration and life cycle support, leading to savings in time and money.”

The launch tube is the centerpiece of the new facility, which is scheduled to become operational with the delivery of the first Virginia-class Block III contract submarine, Pre-Commissioning Unit North Dakota (SSN 784), in early 2014. North Dakota and all future Virginia class submarines will have two payload tubes, each capable of carrying six Tomahawk cruise missiles, vice the traditional 12 vertical launch system tubes found in previous submarines. The Virginia Payload Tubes not only reduce acquisition and life cycle costs, but afford the platforms more usable payload volume.