New Threats to Counter
In today’s changing high-tech world, new, more potent threats are emerging. Slow, quiet, diesel submarines, for example, are now operating in shallow-water, littoral areas. As a result, lightweight torpedoes designed to defeat high-speed, nuclear-powered submarines in open-ocean environments are ineffective. Navies now need a lightweight torpedo capable of delivering a devastating blow to submarine threats in both deep and shallow water — and in various acoustic environments. That torpedo is the U.S. Navy’s MK 54.
Leveraging Modern Torpedo Technologies
The MK 54 can be deployed from a surface ship, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft to track, classify and attack underwater targets. It uses sophisticated processing algorithms to analyze the information, edit out false targets or countermeasures, and then pursue identified threats. The MK 54 program leverages the most modern torpedo technologies from the MK 50 and MK 48 ADCAP (advanced capability) programs. It also utilizes the proven MK 46 warhead and propulsion subsystems. The result is a low-cost weapon that meets all performance requirements for littoral warfare.
Easily Upgradeable From MK 46
Featuring many improved capabilities, the MK 54 is the next-generation of the MK 46 torpedo. In fact, navies with MK 46 models in their inventory can easily convert them into MK 54 torpedoes using the low-cost MK 54 Upgrade Kit. The kit, which is easily installed in-country, replaces yesterday’s components with state-of-the-art digital technology. Moreover, the MK 54 can be incorporated into any modern navy with minimum conversion costs because it is compatible with over 20 launch platforms.
