US Approves FMS of 64 MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes to Germany and 29 to Belgium.

The US State Department has made a determination approving possible Foreign Military Sales to the Government of Germany of sixty-four (64) MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight torpedoes and to the Government of Belgium of twenty-nine (29) All Up Round MK 54 LWT Mod.
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An MK 54 exercise torpedo launches from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) during Multi-Sail 2015. (Picture source: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Martin Wright)

The Government of Germany has requested to buy sixty-four (64) MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight torpedoes and ten (10) MK 54 Conversion Kits to be used with fleet exercise sections as MK 54 Exercise torpedoes. Also included are torpedo containers; Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers; Fleet Exercise Section (FES) and fuel tanks to be used with MK 54 conversion kits (procured as MDE); air-launch accessories for fixed-wing; torpedo spare parts; training, publications, support and test equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated value is $130 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe.

The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by upgrading the Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities on Germany’s P-3C aircraft. Germany will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces.

GULF OF OMAN (April 16, 2014) An exercise MK 54 Mod 0 Torpedo is launched from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). (Picture source: U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert/Released)

The Government of Belgium requests to buy twenty-nine (29) All Up Round MK 54 LWT Mod 0. Also included are two (2) Fleet Exercise Section conversion kits, torpedo support equipment, training and publications, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $33.3 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The Belgian Navy is phasing out its inventory of MK 46 torpedoes. The MK 54 will give them the ability to engage submarines from its fleet of NH-90 helicopters and the new generation of Multi-Mission Frigates. Belgium will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defense System, Portsmouth, RI. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

 Mark 54 MAKO Lightweight Torpedo. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

About Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo:

The MK 54 can be deployed from a surface ship, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft to track, classify and attack underwater targets. It uses sophisticated processing algorithms to analyze the information, edit out false targets or countermeasures, and then pursue identified threats.

The MK 54 program leverages the most modern torpedo technologies from the U.S. Navy’s MK 50 and MK 48 ADCAP (advanced capability) programs. It also utilizes the proven MK 46 warhead and propulsion subsystems. The result is a low-cost weapon that meets all performance requirements for littoral warfare.