U.S. Navy Expands Hammerhead Mine Production with $230
General Dynamics Mission Systems has secured a $230 million contract modification to continue producing Hammerhead anti-submarine mines for the U.S.
The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a $230 million contract modification for the continued development and delivery of Hammerhead anti-submarine mine systems. This follow-on contract, announced by the company, funds the Hammerhead Encapsulated Effector (HHEE) program through late 2028.
Dr. Laura Hooks, vice president and general manager of the Maritime and Strategic Systems business at General Dynamics, linked the deal to evolving maritime threats. "As maritime security challenges continue to evolve, the need for advanced mine systems has never been greater," she stated. Hooks said the system provides the fleet with an undersea capability to deny adversaries access.
Production Schedule and Locations
Work under the contract is set to begin in August and continue through late 2028. The primary manufacturing site is the General Dynamics UUV Manufacturing and Assembly Center of Excellence in Taunton, Massachusetts. Fabrication support will come from the company's facility in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The contract modification was issued by the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Maritime. It follows a previous $229.65 million contract awarded in August 2026 for 188 additional Hammerhead units, with manufacturing scheduled for completion by October 2028.
System Capabilities and Function
The Hammerhead is a next-generation, moored influence mine designed for deployment at intermediate and deep-water depths. It functions as an encapsulated torpedo. Tethered to the sea floor, the system passively listens for underwater sounds to detect passing submarines.
Onboard computers analyze acoustic data to distinguish between friendly vessels, marine life, and hostile submarines. Once a hostile target is confirmed, the mine launches a modified Mark 54 lightweight torpedo to track and destroy the submarine.
Workforce and Facility Expansion
This production award supports the expansion of the General Dynamics workforce in Taunton, adding 30 new full-time positions. The roles span manufacturing, engineering, and associated support functions. The expansion will grow the program team to more than 100 employees, with most positions in Massachusetts and the remainder in North Carolina.
General Dynamics has made sustained investments in its Taunton facility to support the Hammerhead program and future undersea projects. The UUV Manufacturing and Assembly Center of Excellence was established in 2021 within a 500,000 square-foot complex. It features purpose-built manufacturing cells and specialized test equipment designed to optimize the production of unmanned undersea vehicles. This infrastructure positions the site as the company's premier location for Hammerhead production.
