BAE Systems has secured a $36 million production contract from Lockheed Martin to build and supply its new Multifunction Modular Mast (MMM) systems for installation aboard U.S. Navy submarines, specifically the latest submarines in the Virginia-class submarine program.
Stealth-Ready Antennas For Undersea Signal Detection
The MMM is a high-performance radio-frequency receiving antenna system engineered to enable submarines to detect, identify, and determine the direction of adversary communications signals — while remaining submerged. Once installed, the mast will feed data into Lockheed Martin’s advanced submarine EW (Electronic Warfare) suite, AN/BLQ-10, providing a critical enhancement to the submarine’s signal-intelligence and situational-awareness capabilities.
By using the MMM, Virginia-class submarines can detect communications from potential threats before surfacing — giving them an edge in stealth operations and reducing the risk of detection. The mast offers a secondary layer of sensing, supplementing the submarine’s radar and sonar systems.
Designed For Undersea Rigors And Future Upgrades
According to BAE Systems, the MMM antenna is enclosed inside a composite radome designed to withstand extreme pressures and corrosive conditions of deep-sea operation. The radome helps maximize signal reception while minimizing the mast’s visibility. The design also includes a payload module, enabling the U.S. Navy to integrate additional sensors in the future and expand the mast’s mission capabilities.
The contract calls for production work to be carried out at BAE’s facilities in Hudson, Merrimack, and Nashua, New Hampshire.
Enhancing Submarine Electronic Warfare And Situational Awareness
The AN/BLQ-10 is a well-established submarine electronic-warfare support system: when paired with masts like the MMM, it provides automatic detection, classification, localization, and identification of potentially hostile radar and communication signals — even while the submarine remains submerged or at periscope depth.
This latest contract comes amid increasing demand for advanced undersea surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities. As maritime threats evolve — including quieter submarines, remote sensors, and stealthy communications — the importance of EW suites like AN/BLQ-10, supported by modular masts such as the MMM, is rising. Analysts note that the MMM supports the Navy’s goal of electromagnetic-spectrum dominance and enhanced tactical flexibility.
BAE Systems’ Long Heritage in Maritime Communications
BAE Systems has more than 65 years of experience developing maritime communications and sensor systems, including antennas, acoustic transducers, and deep-water sensors. The MMM continues that legacy, tailored to the demands of modern undersea warfare.
With this contract, the company will supply cutting-edge mast systems to complement the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarine fleet — reinforcing the fleet’s ability to detect and track hostile communications signals while maintaining stealth, and improving overall mission readiness.
Strategic Implications
As the U.S. Navy modernizes its undersea force amid rising geopolitical tensions, investments like the $36 million MMM contract highlight a commitment to advanced sensing, EW, and intelligence-gathering systems. By allowing submarines to “listen before surfacing,” the MMM–AN/BLQ-10 combination strengthens U.S. undersea stealth operations and widens tactical options for submarine commanders.
In the words of BAE Systems’ programme area director for Maritime Sensors and Systems, Michael Rottman, “In dynamic and contested environments, stealth is key, and submarines rely on accurate communications signal information to make decisions quickly.” He added that the MMM system gives U.S. Navy submarines “critical capabilities to locate and identify potential threats, enabling them to analyze and respond accordingly.”
As production begins in New Hampshire, naval-defense observers will be watching how quickly the new masts are fielded on Virginia-class submarines — and how significantly they strengthen undersea operations alongside the AN/BLQ-10 EW suite.
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