Newest Virginia-class submarine commissioned bears several systems from UTC Aerospace Systems

The USS North Dakota (SSN 784), the first of the Virginia-class Block III boats, which contains several systems built by UTC Aerospace Systems, was successfully commissioned Saturday, October 25. The submarine was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

"As a member of the supplier team for the Virginia-class submarine program, it is satisfying to see the delivery of these boats to the Navy fleet," said Jim Dalberg, Director, Navy Programs for UTC Aerospace Systems. "We continue to support the shipbuilders' efforts to exceed U.S. Navy expectations on cost, schedule and performance for these ships."

Among the systems that UTC Aerospace Systems supplies is the central atmosphere monitoring system (CAMS). This system allows submarine crews to reliably monitor the air aboard their boats. UTC Aerospace Systems also supplies oxygen generation through its Integrated Low Pressure Electrolyzer (ILPE) unit, composite covers and fairings, RHOCOR® sonar windows, and rubber and urethane acoustic coatings.

UTC Aerospace Systems teams supporting today's commissioning include the Engineered Polymer Products business in Jacksonville, Florida and the ISR & Space Systems businesses in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and Pomona, California.

The Virginia-class submarines are the first U.S. Navy combatant designed for the post-Cold War era. Unobtrusive, non-provocative and connected with land, air, sea and space-based assets, Virginia-class submarines are equipped to wage multi-dimensional warfare around the globe, providing the U.S. Navy and the nation with continued dominance in coastal waters and the open ocean. As the 11th delivered Virginia-class submarine and first Block III boat, the USS North Dakota features a revised bow with a Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array and two large vertical tubes to expand payload flexibility.

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.