U.S. Navy Taps L3Harris to Strengthen Nuclear Submarine Communications for Strategic Deterrence.

L3Harris Technologies secured its largest full-rate production contract for U.S. Navy submarine communications systems on February 18, 2026, under an award from General Dynamics Electric Boat, covering 26 shipsets for Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines through 2033. The deal strengthens a core component of America’s undersea nuclear and conventional deterrent, supporting both attack and ballistic missile submarine fleets.

L3Harris Technologies announced on February 18, 2026 that it secured its largest full-rate production contract for U.S. Navy submarine communications systems, following an award from General Dynamics Electric Boat. The agreement calls for delivery of 26 shipsets for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines and Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, with production extending through 2033. The communications suites, which enable secure, survivable connectivity between submerged platforms and national command authorities, form a critical part of both conventional undersea operations and the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad.
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Pre-Commissioning Unit New Jersey (SSN 796), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, arrives at Naval Weapons Station Earle on September 6, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)

Virginia-class submarines form the backbone of the U.S. attack submarine fleet. Powered by an S9G nuclear reactor that allows extended deployments without refueling, they displace approximately 7,800 tons submerged. Designed for operations in both littoral and open-ocean environments, they are equipped with Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoes and, in more recent variants, a Virginia Payload Module that adds four large-diameter vertical tubes. Each of these tubes can carry seven Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, which have a range of about 1,600 kilometers and provide long-range conventional strike capability against land targets.

The Columbia-class is intended to replace the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and sustain the sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad into the second half of the century. With a submerged displacement expected to exceed 20,000 tons, these submarines will be fitted with a next-generation nuclear reactor designed to operate for the life of the vessel without refueling. Each boat will carry 16 Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, with a range of more than 7,000 kilometers and the capacity to deploy multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. The ability to receive authenticated strategic messages while submerged is directly linked to the credibility of this deterrent posture.

Within this framework, the communications systems provided by L3Harris are intended to maintain secure connectivity between submarines and command authorities. The architecture combines Very Low Frequency, Ultra High Frequency, and satellite-based links. Very Low Frequency communications, operating in the 3 to 30 kilohertz band, enable submarines to receive short coded messages while remaining at significant depth, though data throughput is limited. Ultra High Frequency transmissions, in the 300 megahertz to 3 gigahertz range, support higher data rates when the submarine deploys a mast or antenna near periscope depth. Satellite links supplement these methods by allowing encrypted voice and data exchange with command centers under appropriate operational conditions.

The U.S. objective is to improve communications resilience while preserving acoustic and electromagnetic discretion. As anti-submarine warfare capabilities advance, including fixed and mobile undersea sensor networks, low-frequency active sonar systems, and maritime patrol aircraft equipped with sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detectors, minimizing exposure becomes increasingly important. The new systems are designed to reduce the probability of signal interception and geolocation while incorporating hardened encryption modules and protections against electronic interference and cyber intrusion.

Operationally, enhanced communications alter the tactical framework for both submarine classes. For Virginia-class boats deployed in contested areas, timely receipt of targeting updates or intelligence on adversary naval movements can influence mission execution, whether in strike, surveillance, or anti-submarine roles. For Columbia-class submarines, reliable submerged communications underpin continuous at-sea deterrence by ensuring that national authorities retain effective command and control in crisis scenarios. Secure connectivity therefore contributes directly to operational flexibility and strategic stability.

The contract also reflects an emphasis on interoperability. According to L3Harris, the selected architecture is compatible with North Atlantic Treaty Organization standards, facilitating secure data exchange during joint exercises and coordinated patrols. As maritime competition intensifies alongside the modernization of Russian and Chinese submarine forces, the United States is investing in the communications infrastructure that links its undersea platforms to the broader defense network. By extending production through 2033, the program supports continuity in both attack and ballistic missile submarine operations within an increasingly contested maritime environment.