Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the US Navy’s MK 54 MOD 2 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo, has tapped Karman Space & Defense to support the program’s Fleet Exercise Section (FES).
The $21.3-million contract covers the proof of manufacture phase, during which Karman will validate the FES’ design, manufacturing, and testing processes before the program advances to low-rate initial production.
The program is a recoverable training configuration that replaces the torpedo’s live warhead with a non-explosive exercise and recovery assembly, allowing the US Navy to safely conduct anti-submarine warfare training, collect performance data, and reuse the system in future exercises.
“The FES is an innovative solution to a complex challenge that Karman developed, tested, and is now poised to produce for the Navy,” said Jon Rambeau, Karman CEO.
“Serving our nation’s military needs is core to our mission and drives our team to achieve the impossible every day,” he added.
MK 54 MOD 2
The MK 54 MOD 2 advanced lightweight torpedo can be launched from naval and airborne platforms, including surface ships, MH-60R helicopters, and P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft, to track, classify, and strike subsurface targets.
It was designed under a collaborative agreement with the US Navy and the Australian Defence Force, with Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor and L3Harris Technologies developing the torpedo’s propulsion subsystem.
