Navy & Lockheed Upgrade Mk 48 Torpedo Guidance System

By SOFREP,

Lockheed Martin’s $245M Contract Extension for MK 48 Torpedo Upgrades

In a move to bolster its undersea warfare capabilities, the US Navy extended Lockheed Martin’s contract for the MK 48 Guidance and Control (G&C) program by $245 million.

This contract, announced on December 4, focuses on enhancing the Mod 7 version of the MK 48 submarine-launched torpedo, a weapon widely regarded as one of the most capable in the world.

The Mod 7 variant, co-developed with the Royal Australian Navy, features a high-explosive 650-pound warhead capable of devastating both surface ships and submarines.

The guidance and control upgrades will improve the torpedo’s precision and lethality, ensuring that it remains a formidable tool in the Navy’s arsenal.

Tom Warner, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Undersea Warfare, emphasized the company’s ability to revitalize and accelerate the production of this critical technology.

This contract extension also supports allied forces, including Australia, through foreign military sales, reinforcing international defense collaborations.

The MK 48 is operational across the US submarine fleet and is also used by the navies of Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Taiwan, demonstrating its global impact.