MK-48 ADCAP

Abstract

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Afterbody Upgrades Future Naval Capability (FNC) program started in FY 2022 with program office funding contributions beginning in FY 2023. The ONR Afterbody Upgrades FNC will develop technologies to improve torpedo effectiveness that will transition to the MK 48 MOD 7, MOD 8, and MOD 9 upgrades. The MK 48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) program executes incremental development of weapon performance improvements in two development product areas: (1) Advanced Processor Builds (APBs) (operational software), and (2) Torpedo Technology Insertions (TIs) (hardware). This Program Element (0205632N/0366) is tied to development programs that leverage a joint United States/Australia Armaments Cooperative Project (ACP) and develop MK 48 ADCAP technologies developed by the ONR and SCO. The Torpedo APB development testing and implementation process is being utilized to address shallow water as a critical operating area to counter near-peer adversaries and third world diesel electric submarines. In-water testing, in conjunction with laboratory simulation efforts, has shown that significant performance improvements can be made by implementing changes to weapon tactics and software algorithms. The TAPB program also leverages the RAN joint torpedo program and technologies developed by ONR and SCO in the areas of torpedo broadband signal processing, tactics processing, and alertment. Torpedo Technology Insertions (TIs) will provide for significant torpedo hardware improvements and upgrades, including the transition and testing of advanced technologies from the R&D community. This approach will incorporate developmental testing of transitioning technologies from ONR and SCO for ADCAP upgrades in the areas of torpedo sensors, weapon propulsion, weapon/platform connectivity, and improved fusing. These efforts will continue torpedo development investment at a lower cost and shorter term than traditional torpedo programs. The MK 48 MOD 8 (APB 6/TI-1) Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT) program is a significant upgrade to the MK 48 MOD 7 HWT which will consist of an operational software upgrade referred to as APB 6 and a hardware upgrade referred to as TI-1. TI-1 will include a Guidance and Control (G&C) section upgrade including a new Sonar Assembly (higher density array, transmitter, receiver), and an Improved Post Launch Communications System (IPLCS). IPLCS will replace the existing copper guidance wire with fiber optics. These improvements are needed for increased performance in the presence of advanced countermeasures, shallow water, low Doppler targets, Very Shallow Water (VSW), improve fuzing, and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW). TI-1 will also include features from three ONR FNC programs. The MK 48 MOD 9 (APB 7/TI-2) represents significant improvements to the MK 48 MOD 7 and MOD 8 heavyweight torpedo (HWT) including propulsion upgrades providing extended range and advance sensing capabilities against surface and subsurface targets. MK 48 MOD 8 (APB 6/TI-1) and MK 48 MOD 9 (APB 7/TI-2) provide two distinctly different capabilities and are operationally intended for different mission sets. These improvements consist of the APB 7 software upgrades and Technology Insertion 2 (TI-2) hardware upgrades, which provides advanced sensing, processing, and propulsion technologies developed under OSD SCO, and ONR FNC research and development programs.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 0205632N_7_1319_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: Funding increased by $57.297M from FY 2023 to FY 2024 for: MK 48 MOD 8 (APB 6/TI-1) funding increased by $19.977M from FY 2023 to FY 2024 to support: - APB 6/TI-1 Material procurements by the contractor for Proof of Design (POD) and Proof-of-Manufacturing (POM) deliverables (+$16.094M). - APB 6 product development to support software development and Torpedo Advanced Propulsion System - Combustion (TAPS-C) efforts aimed to upgrade the Otto Fuel engine to extend the range of the MK 48 MOD 7 & MOD 8 (+$3.139M). - Engineering test events for the TI-1 Improved Post Launch Communications System (IPLCS)(+$0.744M). MK 48 MOD 9 (APB 7/TI-2) funding increased by $22.740M from FY 2023 to FY 2024 to fund: - Award of a new competitive manufacturing development contract with industry to develop and test TI-2 prototype hardware (+$21.467M). - Additional funding for Modeling & Simulation (M&S) resources required for initial Verification, Validation & Accreditation (VV&A) efforts (+$1.273M). MK 48 Afterbody Upgrade funding increased by $14.580M from FY 2023 to FY 2024 to fund: - The development, hardware procurements, modifications, land-based and in-water tests for Afterbody Upgrades to improve torpedo effectiveness for future MK 48 MOD 7, MOD 8, and MOD 9 as part of the FNC transitions to the Program Office from ONR.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Contractors
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Developmental Tests
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Materials
• Otto Fuels
• Procurement
• Product Development
• Production
• Propulsion Systems
• Shallow Water
• Signal Processing
• Software Development
• Test And Evaluation
• United States

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies