The U.S. Navy awarded Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCMN) Prototype Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Agreement (IO U.S.C. § 4022) contracts on September 26, 2025, to two organizations tasked with developing launcher and canister prototype design and fabrication for the program.
Launcher and canister development contracts have been awarded to each of the following prime contractors:

•              Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, N00164-25-9-G093
•              Pacific Engineering Inc., N00164-25-9-G094

The agreement is valued at $26,240,207.56, and the work is expected to be completed by September 30, 2026. 

Within the launcher and canister task area, the awardees will begin development of the SLCM-N Launcher Subsystem. The Launcher Subsystem will integrate with a Virginia Payload Tube (VPT) and connect the Missile Subsystem to the submarine’s shipboard systems. SLCM-N is being developed for  integration in the 2030s on Virginia-class SSNs that will include the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) with multiple VPTs.

The SLCM-N prototype efforts were solicited through the Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) OTA, which is managed by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL).

OTAs give the Department of War (DoW) the flexibility necessary to adopt and incorporate business practices that reflect commercial industry standards and best practices into its award instruments. OTAs provide the DoW with access to state-of-the-art technology solutions from traditional and non-traditional defense contractors through a multitude of potential teaming arrangements tailored to the particular project and needs of the participants.

OTAs can help encourage flexible, quicker, and more cost-efficient project design and execution; leverage commercial industry investment in technology development to support DoW requirements; and collaborate in innovative arrangements, amongst other benefits.

For media inquiries, contact the Strategic Systems Programs Public Affairs Office at SSPPAO@ssp.navy.mil.