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 manufacturing development, integration and testing of transitioning technologies from ONR and SCO for ADCAP upgrades in the areas of torpedo sensors, energetics, 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) program provides extensive and important capability improvements to the MK 48 MOD 7 and MOD 8 heavyweight torpedo (HWT) including new propulsion system for increased 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. The MK 48 MOD 9 improvements consist of the APB 7 software and algorithm upgrades for advance sensing and processing capabilities and Technology Insertion 2 (TI-2) hardware upgrades to include the Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System (SCEPS) engine developed under OSD SCO, and ONR FNC research and development programs.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0205632N_7_1319_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2025 total adjustment of $22.120M to support development Proof-of Design (POD) and Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of MK 48 MOD 8 G&C kits. Funding decreased by (-$48.230M) from FY 2024 to FY 2025 for: MK 48 MOD 8 (APB 6/TI-1) funding decreased by (-$29.184M) from FY 2024 to FY 2025: - Decreased TI-1 material procurements by the contractor for G&C hardware development (-$10.065M). - Decreased requirement for APB 6 product development and support development (-$18.248M) -Increase in at-sea Engineering and Development Test and Evaluation of APB 6 on MK 48 MOD 7 and MOD 8 (+$5.521M). - Decreased requirement for TI-1 IPLCS subsystem in water test and evaluation (-$6.392M) MK 48 MOD 9 (APB 7/TI-2) funding decreased by (-$7.306M) from FY 2024 to FY 2025: - Decreased requirement for MK 48 MOD 9 TI-2 hardware development as a result of a shift of development effort towards integration, material procurements and testing of new Afterbody with SCEPS prototype engine. (-$9.667M) - Increase in industry Contractor Hardware Development (+$2.361M) MK 48 APB 8 funding increased by ($1.218M) from FY 2024 to FY 2025: - APB 8 algorithm development as part of Step 1 of the TAPB process (+$1.218M). MK 48 Afterbody Upgrade funding decreased by (-$12.958M) from FY 2024 to FY 2025: - Result of reduced Afterbody Upgrade Kit material procurements, as well as shifting efforts to land-based and in-water tests.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

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