Lightweight Torpedo Development

The MK 54 MOD 2 program is continuing incremental development of lethality required to prosecute challenging adversary submarines. FY 2025 funding will be used to complete the POD designs, and receive delivery of the POD hardware and the Technical Data Package (TDPs), and commence development efforts of an Adapter section that enables the assembly of the MOD 2 Forebody sections with the legacy MK 54 MOD 0/1 OTTO Fuel Afterbody. FY 2026 funding will be used to award a contract to an industry Prime, funding the Rapid Prototyping of the INC 1 All-Up-Round (AUR), which combines the MOD 2 Forebody sections with the legacy OTTO Fuel Afterbody. Funding will also be used to conduct INC 1 AUR integration, which will mate POD sections, the new Adapter section, and the legacy OTTO Fuel Afterbody. The program will also continue operational software development and modeling and simulation verification, and continue de-risking efforts for INC 2, ensuring the Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System (SCEPS) Afterbody design is mature and ready for Rapid Prototyping at the commencement of the INC 2 phase. FY 2027 funding will be used to continue Rapid Prototyping of the INC 1 AUR contract, AUR and Platform integration, operational software development and modeling and simulation verification and continue engineering in-water testing.

The program designs, integrates and tests the LWT MK 54. The LWT provides performance improvements in shallow water, counter-measure environments. The MK 54 MOD 1 program consists of two increments: (1) Increment 1 consisting of Advanced Processor Build (APB) 5 / Tech Insertion 1 (TI-1); and (2) Increment 2, consisting of APB-6 software upgrade. FY 2027 funding is for continued development of MK 54 MOD 1 Increment 2 APB 6 developmental builds, conducting in-water developmental test runs, and Weapons Analysis Facility (WAF) system testing. FY 2027 funding also for continued development of a Fleet Exercise Section (FES) instrumentation subsystem to be compatible with the MK 54 MOD 1 obsolescence upgraded hardware being produced under BLI 3215. FY 2027 also funds emergent and stop gap capability needs (Hammerhead and TDHK).

Long-Range Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon (LRAW) Development will provide capability that extends range past the range of the current VLA systems which addresses adversary submarines employing long range standoff tactics. LRAW will provide future surface combatants with organic ASW capability. CRUDES capability for offensive ASW is limited to the current VLA ranges which may not be adequate for all scenarios. Current VLA inventory is aging and requires recapitalization to maintain readiness. In FY 2027 the program will begin development consisting of modification to existing VLA rocket, initiate design, design containers and test equipment, build test articles, and conduct an Engineering, qualification, DT, and OT test program. The LRAW program will follow a phased approach; the first phase will be to define LRAW capability requirements, followed by a second phase to develop and test extended range capability, and a final fielding stage. FY 2027 to FY 2031 funds the first phase of the LRAW program.