CPS Support Equipment

The CPS Support Equipment line item in the Navy's FY 2026 budget request is focused on the procurement of support equipment necessary for the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapons system. The CPS program aims to provide the Navy with a precise, rapid-response strike capability in contested environments, leveraging hypersonic technology. This line item is a critical component of the Navy's broader strategy to enhance lethality and operational flexibility, particularly in the context of Great Power competition.

The primary goal of the CPS Support Equipment line is to enable the integration of the CPS weapons system onto VIRGINIA Class submarines, specifically those equipped with Virginia Payload Modules (VPM). The program involves the acquisition of Advanced Payload Modules (APMs), which are specialized launch and storage modules designed to accommodate hypersonic missiles. Each submarine will receive two APMs and six missiles, allowing for flexible payload configurations in the remaining VPM tubes.

The CPS SSN Advanced Payload Module (APM) sub-line specifically addresses the procurement of these modules. In FY 2026, the Navy is initiating the procurement of two APMs. The production lead time for each APM is 30 months, and deliveries are scheduled in three-month intervals to align with industrial capacity. The installation of APMs is planned to occur during designated maintenance windows for each submarine hull, with an installation period of less than two weeks.

From a technical perspective, the CPS program is a joint effort between the Navy and the Army. The Navy is responsible for the design, development, and production of the missile booster, as well as the integration of the booster with the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB). The Army leads the production of the C-HGB itself. Both services will use the common hypersonic missile, but will develop individual weapon control systems and launchers tailored to their operational environments sea for the Navy and land for the Army.

The justification for the CPS Support Equipment procurement centers on the need to provide operational commanders with enhanced strike options and flexibility. Integrating CPS into the submarine fleet is a top priority for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), as it significantly increases the Navy's ability to conduct prompt, precise attacks against high-value targets. The modular nature of the APMs also allows for future payload adaptability, supporting a range of mission requirements beyond hypersonic strike.

Lockheed Martin, based in Denver, CO, is the designated contractor for the manufacture of the APMs. The contract is structured as a Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF) arrangement, with the award scheduled for November 2025 and first deliveries expected in May 2028. This procurement supports the Navy's timeline for fielding CPS capability on operational submarines and aligns with broader Department of Defense objectives for hypersonic weapons deployment.