Lightweight Torpedo Development

Abstract

The Lightweight Torpedo (LWT) program designs, integrates and tests the MK 54 LWT and supports an incremental developmental acquisition approach combining hardware and Advanced Processor Build (APB) software upgrades to enable rapid fielding of improvements to the fleet. The program will focus on common LWT and Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT) hardware and software architecture enhancements that will provide improvements to the array, warhead, propulsion, and APB software to address capability gaps against challenging adversary submarines and environments. Future APB software builds will utilize common torpedo software to deliver capability and tactics improvements to the MK 54 LWT. The program will also support development of enhanced weapon delivery methods, including the high altitude launch of the MK 54 from the P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) with the HAAWC Air Launch Accessary (ALA) and development of a common HAAWC capability compatible with the MK 54 MOD 2 Advanced LWT (ALWT). The HAAWC development program provides the P-8A MPRA with the ability to release LWTs from high altitude to prosecute enemy submarine threats. Operational Testing (OT) was conducted at the end of FY 2020, and the Commander Operational Test & Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) report was issued in FY 2021, recommending fielding. Follow-on T&E (FOT&E) was conducted in FY 2022 with updated flight control software and the program delivered the HAAWC capability to the fleet in Q3 FY 2022 with Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG) declaring Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in Q1 FY 2023. The current HAAWC design was developed to deploy the MK 54 MOD 0/1. The MK 54 MOD 2 is not compatible with HAAWC due to having different mass properties and outer mold line from the MK 54 MOD 0/1 LWT. The HAAWC development program will focus on development of a new HAAWC design, starting in FY 2024, that will be compatible, at a minimum, with the MK 54 MOD 2 ALWT, aligned with the MK 54 MOD 2 fleet delivery schedule and investigate the potential for a common HAAWC design for all MK 54 MODs. The MK 54 MOD 1 provides significant performance improvements compared to MK 54 MOD 0 for challenging littoral, shallow water environments and adversary countermeasures. The MOD 1 program is split into 2 increments: Increment 1 focusing on the updated sonar hardware and associated APB 5 common software to provide an improved LWT to the Fleet to replace the MK 54 MOD 0s; Increment 2 is the APB 6 software (SW) only upgrade to fully take advantage of the improved sonar hardware developed under Increment 1, update the platform interface to reduce Fleet Operator workload, and provide new potential capabilities such as Salvo and terminal homing improvements. APB 6 will run on MOD 1 but also serves as the SW baseline for the MK 54 MOD 2 and the MOD 2 program will leverage development and testing under the MOD 1 Increment 2 program to reduce the scope of the test and evaluation required for the MOD 2. The MK 54 MOD 2 improves the lethality and speed of the LWT by upgrading the Warhead and Propulsion system to counter challenging near-peer adversary submarines that are faster and deeper diving, leveraging the sonar hardware improvements developed under the MOD 1 program. The program awarded four Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements to industry partners in FY 2020 for the design of the Guidance and Control (G&C) section, Warhead, Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System (SCEPS) afterbody sections, and All Up Round (AUR) system integrator. Industry partners are focused primarily on the development of torpedo hardware and support equipment while the USN maintains the responsibility of developing the software under the APB process and will develop specific software modules for the MK 54 MOD 2 variant. The program is working on awarding an OTA in FY 2023 for the completion of the development of the AUR and procuring up to 48 Proof of Manufacture (POM) AUR test assets to be used in Developmental and Operational Test and Evaluation. The AUR Industry partner will be responsible for managing the subsystem and system level qualification, AUR assembly, and platform integration.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 0604610N_5_1319_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: Funding increases from FY 2023 to FY 2024 in Project Units 1412, 2234, and 3418 for the following: (1)PU 1412 HAAWC: Increase of $15.614M for award to contractor for development of a new High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) that will be compatible with the MK 54 MOD 2 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo (ALWT) and aligned with MK 54 MOD 2 fleet delivery schedule. (2)PU 2234 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo: Increase of $1.753M for APB 6 SW development to implement the Enhanced Digital Fire Control Interface (eDFCI) in the torpedo and upgrade models in the WAF. (3)PU 3418 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo: Increase of $76.801M for the procurement of material to support assembly, integration, and test of up to 48 AUR Proof of Manufacture (POM) hardware, which includes the G&C, WH, Fleet Exercise System (FES), and SCEPS afterbody subsystems required to support the in-water Developmental Test (DT) program that begins in FY 2025. Critical materials to support the subsystems, such as parts for SCEPS afterbody, that include the Heat Exchanger System (feedwater components, boiler assembly, injectors) and Tail Section will be procured in FY 2024. Increase also required to support shift from land-based testing to in-water testing which requires additional support and equipment. Total Program Adjustments to FY 2024 funding $72.372M: (1)PU 1412 HAAWC: Program Adjustment increase of $14.898M for industry award to design and develop a High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) compatible with the MK 54 MOD 2 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo (ALWT), aligned with MK 54 MOD 2 fleet delivery schedule. (2)PU 2234 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo: Program Adjustment reduction of $1.885M to correct excess carryover from prior years and inflation realignment. (3)PU 3418 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo: Toal program adjustment increase of $59.359M for MK 54 MOD 2 Phase II contract POM subsystem hardware procurements to support AUR builds and program testing requirements and rate adjustments.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Kinetic Weapons

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Antisubmarine Warfare
• Contractors
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Developmental Tests
• Engineering
• High Altitude
• Manufacturing
• Procurement
• Product Development
• Program Management
• Propulsion Systems
• Software Development
• Submarine Warfare
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
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