Navy's Advanced MK 48 Torpedo Faces Reliability Concerns Despite New Upgrades
The U.S. Navy's most advanced submarine-launched torpedo, the MK 48 Mod 7, has been found operationally effective but is experiencing concerning reliability issues, according to a recently released Department of Defense test report. The assessment, completed in May 2023, evaluated the torpedo's latest Advanced Processor Build (APB) 5+ software upgrade.
While the APB 5+ upgrade successfully improved the interface between submarines' combat systems and the torpedo, including enhanced safety features to protect launching vessels, the report revealed that the MK 48 Mod 7's overall reliability has degraded below Navy-defined requirements. This development poses a significant challenge for the Navy's submarine force, which relies on the MK 48 as its primary anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare weapon.
In response to emerging operational needs, the Navy began evaluating an urgent software update in FY2023, known as the Shallow Water Urgent Build (SWUB). Initial testing demonstrated that while SWUB can improve single torpedo performance in specific scenarios, comprehensive testing with multiple torpedoes in realistic conditions remains incomplete due to limited threat representation.
Looking ahead, the Navy is developing the APB 6 software update, scheduled for delivery in FY2026, which will focus on improving target detection and classification capabilities. This update will support the future MK 48 Mod 8 variant, expected to feature an upgraded sonar array when it enters service in FY2028.
The Department of Defense test office has issued several recommendations, including determining and correcting the causes of the torpedo's degraded reliability. Additionally, the Navy must complete development of new threat simulators - the Towed Array Threat Emulator (TATE) and Modular Threat Countermeasure Emulator (MOTCE) - to provide more realistic testing environments for future torpedo variants.
The MK 48, which first entered service in 1972, continues to undergo regular modernization efforts through a shared development program with the Royal Australian Navy. Lockheed Martin recently secured a $245 million contract to enhance the torpedo's guidance and control systems, highlighting the Navy's ongoing commitment to maintaining this critical underwater warfare capability despite current challenges.
Lockheed Martin to Enhance US Navy MK 48 Torpedo in $245M Deal
Lockheed Martin has clinched a $245-million contract extension from the US Naval Sea Systems Command for the MK 48 Guidance and Control (G&C) program.
The G&C component will enhance the capabilities of the Mod 7, the latest version of the MK 48 submarine-launched torpedo.
As per the contract, this upgrade will benefit not only the US Navy but also allied forces, including Australia, as part of foreign military sales.
Work is expected for completion by September 2027.
Company VP of Undersea Warfare Tom Warner says the contract is “a testament to Lockheed Martin’s ability to aggressively revitalize a once-dormant technology, delivering more guidance and control sections at a faster production rate.”
“Our dedicated team is fully committed to continuing the production of these essential systems, ensuring the US Navy and our allied nations have the technology they need to maintain their edge in an ever-changing global landscape.”
‘Most Capable Torpedo in the World’
A former US Navy submarine commander, Tom Shugart, described the MK 48 as “probably the most capable torpedo in the world,” serving both anti-submarine and anti-surface roles.
Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Insider that the torpedo “can strike with very little warning, and they’re deliberately designed to break ships in half.”
The entire class of US Navy submarines use the weapon, fitted with a high-explosive 650-pound (295-kilogram) warhead.
The Mod 7 version, the result of a Joint Development Program with the Royal Australian Navy, reached initial operational capability in 2006.
Apart from the US and Australia, the navies of Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Taiwan have incorporated the weapon into their submarines.
MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) Heavyweight Torpedo
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo is developed as part of an Armaments Cooperative Programme between the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. Image courtesy of Department of Defence, ©Commonwealth of Australia 2014.
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo has advanced counter-countermeasure capabilities. Image courtesy of 2014 Lockheed Martin Corporation.
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo was successfully test-fired by HMAS Waller submarine of the Australian Navy in July 2008. Image courtesy of Department of Defence, ©Commonwealth of Australia 2014.
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo delivers autonomous fire-and-forget operation. Image courtesy of Department of Defence, ©Commonwealth of Australia 2014.
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo is developed as part of an Armaments Cooperative Programme between the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy. Image courtesy of Department of Defence, ©Commonwealth of Australia 2014.
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo has advanced counter-countermeasure capabilities. Image courtesy of 2014 Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Lockheed Martin designed and developed the MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) submarine-launched heavyweight torpedo for the US Navy.
The torpedo, which has advanced counter-countermeasure capabilities, is operational with the US and its allied submarine fleet, and serves as a highly effective and lethal weapon against anti-surface and anti-submarine threats in deep and shallow waters.
The heavyweight torpedo is equipped with advanced commercial-off-the-shelf technologies to provide superior reliability and performance against challenging threats in both littoral and blue water environments, and can support multi-band operation.
MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS development details
The Virginia Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral (shallow water) operations.
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS is an upgraded version of the MK 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) Mod 6 Advanced Common Torpedo (ACOT), manufactured by Raytheon. The new torpedo was developed as part of an Armaments Cooperative Programme between the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.
The US Navy awarded a $70.2m contract to Raytheon for 15 MK 48 ADCAP torpedoes in support of MK 48 CBASS initial production and production engineering. Development testing of the MK 48 CBASS torpedo was completed in November 2004 and operational testing was completed in November 2005. Initial operational capability was achieved in 2006 after hardware and software upgrades.
The torpedo was successfully test-fired by HMAS Waller submarine of the Australian Navy during the Rim of the Pacific 2008 (RIMPAC 08) exercise in July 2008.
Orders and deliveries
The US Navy awarded a five-year fleet-wide CBASS programme to Lockheed Martin in 2011 to modernise a total of 1,263 MK 48 torpedoes deployed by the entire submarine fleet as anti-submarine or anti-surface warfare weapons. The company received a contract worth over $50.68m for functional item replacement kits, engineering services, spare parts and production support material in March 2011.
The upgrade kit consists of a broadband analogue sonar receiver, a guidance and control box, a pre-amplifier, guidance and control materials, and cable assemblies. It provides increased bandwidth and streamlined targeting and tracking capabilities to the heavyweight torpedo.
Lockheed Martin secured a $37m contract from the US Navy in August 2013 to provide Mod 7 CBASS replacement kits and services for the MK 48 heavyweight torpedoes in service with the US Navy and allied naval customers from Canada and the Netherlands. Polaris Contract Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, is responsible for building the circuit card and module assembly. Completion of the work is scheduled for July 2017.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a $10m contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in April 2014 to provide maintenance support for all MK 48 torpedoes.
Design and features of the MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo has a length of 5.8m and diameter of 53cm, and can reach a maximum depth of 1,200ft. It weighs 1,676kg and carries a high explosive warhead of 292.5kg.
“Active and passive homing guidance is provided by the Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System.”
Active and passive homing guidance is provided by the Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System. The torpedo can effectively engage low-Doppler shallow submarines, fast deep diving submarines and high-performance surface ships.
It supports autonomous fire-and-forget operation or wire-guide capability to provide post-launch monitoring and updates through the submarine combat system. It also allows the transmission and reception over a wide frequency band. The broadband signal processing techniques ensure improved search, acquisition and attack effectiveness for the torpedo.
Engine and performance
The MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo is propelled by an inexpensive Otto Fuel II Piston engine, and has a speed of more than 28kt and a range of five miles.
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