US Navy Places $425Mln Order for Heavyweight Torpedo Guidance Systems

Lockheed Martin claims that its guidance and control systems will greatly improve the MK 48 torpedoes' effectiveness and provide the weapon with advanced counter-measure capabilities.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Navy is expected to order up to 250 of the heaviest, self-guided torpedoes in the next five years, which will be steered toward enemy targets by an advanced sonar system, defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced in a press release on Monday.

Lockheed noted it will provide the sonar-based guidance systems for the torpedoes under a $475 million contract with the Navy.

"The Lockheed Martin guidance and control systems will equip the heavyweight torpedoes with increased bandwidth and streamlined targeting and tracking capabilities," the release explained. "These systems will increase the MK 48's effectiveness and provide advanced counter-measure capabilities."

The MK 48 is described as a heavyweight torpedo that can be launched from virtually all military submarines. It has the ability to track and destroy surface ships, and other submarines in shallow water and at depths of more than 1,000 feet.

The Navy could potentially order up to 250 MK 48s in the next five years for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, the release noted.