United States, Nov. 25 -- BAE Systems was awarded a $22 million contract by the U.S. Navy to produce missile canisters for the Mk 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), with the total value potentially reaching $317 million if all options are exercised. This follows a contract award with a total value of $738 million for Mk 41 VLS missile launching canisters last July. These awards reflect BAE Systems' leading expertise in missile launch canisters for the U.S. Navy.Under the contract, the company will also continue to manufacture Mk 29 missile canisters. These canisters are critical to the storage, shipment, and launch of missiles onboard U.S. Navy and allied ships. For more than 30 years, BAE Systems has designed, developed, produced, and su...