US Navy Orders MK54 Nose Arrays from Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for the production of acoustic nose arrays for the MK54 lightweight torpedo in support of Navy and foreign military sales requirements. The initial scope is for 428 nose arrays with a potential for as many as 3,000 over the life of the contract.

The $45.9 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to $294.3 million.

“This contract represents the continuation of our proud torpedo heritage that dates back to World War II,” said Tom Jones, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s Undersea Systems business unit. “We are pleased to support the Navy’s torpedo enterprise once again by providing this undersea warfare capability to the Navy and our international partners.”

This contract includes MK54 torpedo nose arrays for the U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy.

During the peak of the Navy’s torpedo production from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, Northrop Grumman produced more than 550 MK50 lightweight torpedoes along with 491 MK48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) heavyweight torpedoes. Northrop Grumman was also a lead designer for the current MK48 ADCAP Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System upgrade in the early 2000s.

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Press Release, August 15, 2013