U.S. Navy Completes Lightweight Torpedo Defense Mission Module Testing.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules (MM) program announced the successful completion of two days of at-sea testing of the AN/SLQ-61 Lightweight Tow (LWT) Torpedo Defense Mission Module (TDMM), May 2.

AN/SLQ-61 Lightweight Tow (LWT) Torpedo Defense Mission Module (TDMM) is similar to the AN/SLQ-25 "Nixie" system currently installed in the U.S. Navy fleet. Boeing rendering.

Similar to the AN/SLQ-25 "Nixie" system currently installed in the fleet, the LWT is a modular, digitally controlled soft kill countermeasure decoy system. It employs an underwater acoustic projector deployed from the ship's stern on a tow cable to defend ships against wake-homing, acoustic homing, and wire-guided enemy torpedoes. The LWT system is significantly lighter in weight than the current "Nixie" system and has a different tow profile, making it ideally suited for small combatant warships operating in littoral environments.

"This test was highly successful and demonstrated that this technology, which provides critical torpedo defense capability for the LCS class of ships, is ready for integration aboard an LCS," said Capt. Theodore Zobel, LCS Mission Modules program manager.

Boeing video on AN/SLQ-25 "Nixie"

The test event was the final at-sea test on a commercial vessel. The program is incorporating lessons learned from this event as it prepares for TDMM integration and formal developmental and operational tests aboard an LCS. The torpedo defense capability the TDMM provides is envisioned for eventual deployment on all LCS ships, and potentially other small combatants.