General Dynamics Wins $194 Million for SLCM-N Fire Control
General Dynamics Mission Systems has received a $194 million US Navy contract modification to develop the fire control subsystem for the Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear, known as SLCM-N, on Virginia-class submarines. The company announced the award on October 20.
The work covers engineering and technical tasks through September 2028. About 75% will be done in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and 25% in Manassas, Virginia, and the company said the award adds around 200 positions.
General Dynamics Takes On SLCM-N Fire Control
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | US Navy |
| Contractor | General Dynamics Mission Systems |
| Value | $194,139,485 including optional line items |
| Contract type | Cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to an unpriced letter contract |
| Scope | Fire control subsystem to integrate SLCM-N aboard Virginia-class submarines |
| Work locations | Pittsfield, Massachusetts (about 75%); Manassas, Virginia (about 25%) |
| Funding obligated | $135,303,302 in fiscal 2025 reconciliation research and development funds |
| Work began | April 2026, under an undefinitized contract action |
| Completion | September 2028 |
| Announced | October 20, 2026 (Pentagon contract notice dated September 3) |
The fire control subsystem is the part of a weapon system that takes mission data, prepares the missile and manages launch. For SLCM-N, General Dynamics will provide the subsystem that ties the missile to the submarine.
Dr. Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems, said “SLCM-N is a national priority, and the Navy requires this deterrence capability on an accelerated timeline.” She said the team will draw on expertise in weapon control, mission planning, platform integration and system test.
What SLCM-N Is Meant to Do
SLCM-N is a planned nuclear-armed cruise missile to be launched from submarines. The Navy intends to integrate it on Virginia-class attack boats, which were not originally designed to carry a nuclear weapon of this kind. Reports differ on timing: one source points to deployment by 2032, another to a 2034 delivery target, and the work described here covers only the fire control subsystem.
Cruise missiles that can be launched from different platforms are a recurring theme in US planning, as our overview of US cruise missiles shows.
From Trident II to SLCM-N
| Item | Trident II fire control | SLCM-N fire control |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Submarine-launched ballistic missile | Sea-launched nuclear cruise missile |
| General Dynamics role | Prime integrator of the fire control system | Developer of the fire control subsystem |
| Platform | Strategic submarines | Virginia-class attack submarines |
| Status | In service; the company cites more than seven decades of strategic systems work | Engineering under way through September 2028 |
General Dynamics already integrates fire control for the Trident II, so SLCM-N extends an existing line of work to a different class of submarine and a different type of missile.
Pittsfield and Manassas Prepare for the Work
The company said it is investing an additional $1.3 million to modify facilities at both sites for SLCM-N work. It described the spending as following significant internal research and development, and as expanding its fire control engineering and test capacity.
The roughly 200 new positions will be mainly in engineering and manufacturing. Pittsfield carries the larger share of the work.
General Dynamics Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Reston, Virginia |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Employees | About 117,000 (2025) |
| Revenue | About $52.6 billion (2025) |
| CEO | Phebe Novakovic (also chairman) |
| Segments | Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, Technologies |
| Known programmes | Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, Abrams tank, Gulfstream business jets |
SLCM-N Fire Control FAQ
What is SLCM-N?
The Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear, a planned nuclear-armed cruise missile that the Navy wants to launch from submarines.
How much is the General Dynamics contract worth?
$194,139,485, including optional line items, as a cost-plus-fixed-fee modification.
Which submarines will carry SLCM-N?
The Navy plans to integrate it on Virginia-class attack submarines.
Where will the work be done?
About 75% in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and 25% in Manassas, Virginia.
When does the work finish?
The engineering and technical tasks are scheduled to run through September 2028.
- Defence Industry Europe – “General Dynamics to develop fire control for U.S. Navy’s future nuclear cruise missile on Virginia-class submarines” (October 20, 2026): defence-industry.eu
- Military Aerospace – “General Dynamics receives $194 million SLCM-N fire-control contract”
- Defense Daily; Ocean News – reports on the SLCM-N fire control modification
- Wikipedia – General Dynamics (company data)
