Thursday 21 September 2017

Thailand to acquire Mk 54 lightweight torpedo array kits

Mk 54 lightweight torpedo - Raytheon

Ridzwan Rahmat - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

20 September 2017

Northtrop Grumman has been awarded a USD18.6 million contract to produce Mk 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedo array kits for operators of the weapon including Thailand, according to information published by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 19 September.

The contract combines purchases for the US Navy (USN), the UK’s Royal Navy (RN), and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). About 5% of the contract value relates to materials and services that will be provided to the RTN under the US’ foreign military sales (FMS) programme, said the DoD.

According to Jane’s Weapons: Naval , the Mk 54 torpedo achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in March 2010 for deployments on surface ships, embarked helicopters, and the Orion P3C maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).

Original post: janes.com

MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo


The MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo was previously known as the Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo (LHT).

The MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo integrates existing torpedo hardware and software from the MK 46, MK 50 and MK 48 torpedo programs with state-of-the-art commercial-off-the-shelf digital signal-processing technology. It incorporates an advanced guidance and control section employing COTS processing technologies and tactical software improvements to significantly increase shallow water counter-countermeasure capability at reduced lifecycle costs. These features provide performance improvements in the most challenging littoral scenarios.

Future development will continue to provide improvements to shallow water performance via software Advanced Processor Build upgrades, and the MK 54 Mod 1 adds a new sonar array assembly and improved processing capability. The MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo reached Initial Operational Capability in 2004. The MK 54 Vertically Launched ASW Rocket (ASROC)(VLA) system reached IOC in 2010. Source: military.com


General Characteristics:
Contractor: Raytheon
Length: 106.9 inch (272 cm)
Diameter: 12.75 inch (324 mm)
Weight: 608 pounds (276 kg)
Propulsion: liquid propellant (Otto II)
Speed: 40+ knots (74+ km/h)
Warhead: 96.8 pounds, high-explosive
Guidance: active or passive/active acoustic homing
Launching platforms: Mk-32 Torpedo Tubes, ASW-aircraft, RUM-139 VL-ASROC
Source: seaforces.org

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