Aerospace
L3Harris Receives $139 Million Navy Award for Submarine Imaging Masts
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L3Harris Technologies (LHX ) has received a $139 million award from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for the continued delivery of Low-Profile Masts (LPM) for Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines, the company announced on September 21, 2026.
The press release, datelined Northampton, Massachusetts, describes the contract as a follow-on award. Under its terms, L3Harris will provide engineering support for the LPM Type 20 and Type 24 systems to the U.S. Navy. The company serves as prime contractor and design agent for the LPM, with a scope of work that includes design and testing through fleet delivery.
According to the announcement, LPMs replace traditional hull-penetrating periscopes with telescoping arms equipped with high-definition visible and infrared imaging. The systems provide 360-degree visibility and what the company describes as enhanced optical and sensor capabilities for the Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet.
“Delivering decisive undersea superiority capabilities to our sailors is at the core of everything we do, and this follow-on award is a testament to that proven commitment,” said Nino DiCosmo, President, Maritime, Space & Mission Systems, L3Harris. DiCosmo characterized the LPM as a critical leap forward in submarine stealth and situational awareness.
The company stated the award expands its role as a leading provider of submarine solutions and supports the Navy’s broader undersea modernization efforts.
Mast Portfolio and Installed Base
L3Harris’ official capability documentation describes its offering as Non Hull Penetrating Mast Raising Equipment Solutions for submarine vessels, available with either hydraulic or electric actuation. The electric actuation option eliminates the need for oil and piping and the risks linked to oil pollution, according to the documentation. Listed features include minimum detectability, noiseless raising and lowering control, drop-in/drop-out installation, and reduced maintenance needs and life-cycle costs.
The company states it has provided more than 600 masts and that its submarine systems currently equip the vessels of many world navies. Its mast-raising equipment range covers submarine sensor masts carrying optronic sensors and ESM antennas, radar masts, communication masts for HF, multi-function and satellite antennas, periscope hoisting systems, and the Universal Modular Mast (UMM). The documentation states the equipment features proven solutions for integrating all existing sensors and antennas available on the market, and that the range allows standardization and cost reduction along with enhancements in quality level and overall performance.
Recent Submarine Program Activity
The mast award follows another submarine-related contract L3Harris announced earlier in 2026. On July 23, 2026, the company announced a contract from General Dynamics (GD ) Electric Boat to provide battery monitoring systems for the U.S. Navy’s Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs. According to that announcement, datelined Camden, New Jersey, the systems provide real-time battery health assessments that enable submarine commanders to optimize mission profiles, and the company described them as critical for submarine readiness and effectiveness. DiCosmo said in that release that the systems directly impact operational capability and crew safety.
In the July announcement, L3Harris stated that its partnership with the U.S. Navy submarine force spans multiple generations of platforms, from Ohio- and Los Angeles-class submarines to today’s Virginia-class fast-attack submarines. The company described the Columbia class as the Navy’s next-generation ballistic missile submarine.
The company’s undersea work also extends to Rhode Island. On August 12, 2026, L3Harris opened a 50,000-square-foot maritime production facility at ProvPort in Providence, completing a $6 million investment to design, produce and deliver undersea training systems for the U.S. Navy and allied forces. According to the company, the site supports the integration and testing of undersea training ranges for U.S. and partner-nation fleets, and operations there include a partnership with Waterson Terminal Services that draws on local Longshoremen expertise in supporting offshore wind cable management. L3Harris has maintained a presence in Rhode Island since 1991, with its Ashaway facility delivering undersea sensor systems and military sonar for the U.S. Navy.
