Lockheed gets $65m for continued MK48 torpedo maintenance

The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a five-year follow-on contract for continued support on the MK48 torpedoes.

Under the $65 million contract, Lockheed is to support the Navy’s intermediate-level maintenance activities for MK48 torpedoes at the Pearl Harbor Heavyweight Torpedo Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA). Lockheed Martin has provided specialized maintenance for the MK48 torpedoes since 2007.

“Lockheed Martin is appreciative and proud of our more than decade long relationship with the US Navy in support of the MK48 torpedoes,” said Richard Dunn, program manager, MK48 Torpedo IMA Program for Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. “Our teams have established a strong partnership that ensures availability and reliability of the MK48 heavyweight torpedoes, while reducing total program life cycle costs for the Navy’s torpedo enterprise.”

The company provides infrastructure support for the intermediate maintenance activities, including quality assurance, training, audit support, pier side services and ordnance handling. The Navy provides the facility, all required parts and equipment, as well as the procedures necessary to perform the maintenance tasks.

Because torpedoes can be used multiple times for training and exercises, Lockheed Martin refurbishes these heavyweight torpedoes to ensure adequate numbers of ready-for-issue weapons are available to the Navy’s Fleet Commanders.

Lockheed Martin performs intermediate-level maintenance for both exercise and wartime-ready “warshot” configurations of the MK48 torpedoes.