Big hitters: heavyweight torpedoes follow an incremental

Transcription

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Jane's Navy International
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Big hitters: heavyweight torpedoes follow an
incremental course
Heavyweight torpedoes continue to be the mainstay of the submarine's armoury. Ben Goodlad , Luca
Peruzzi , and Richard Scott examine current development and upgrade programmes
The decommissioned US Navy cruiser USS Wainwright, after being hit by a Spearfish torpedo fired by the UK
Royal Navy Trafalgar-class SSN HMS Tireless during a UK/US firing test in the Atlantic Ocean in June 2002.
(Crown copyright/Ministry of Defence)
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Evolution, not revolution, is very much the name of the game for those in the western hemisphere
involved in the design, development, manufacture, and upgrade of heavyweight torpedoes (HWTs). So
while many HWT products have a long lineage, this does not mean that navies, industry, and the defence
scientific community are ignoring the need to incrementally improve function and performance to stay
ahead of the threat.
In operational terms, although a few naval forces still arm fast attack craft and frigates with long-range
torpedoes for anti-surface warfare (ASW), current developments in the HWT (533 mm diameter) market
are largely driven by the demands of the submarine community. Closely integrated with the sensor,
tactical, fire-control, and weapon discharge systems of the host submarine, the modern HWT serves as an
underwater guided weapon for use against both submarine and surface targets.
[Continued in full version…]
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Article 1 Page 1 of 16
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ADCAP upgrades
Mk 48 ADCAP torpedoes onboard the USN Ohio-class SSBN USS Michigan. The Mk 48 ADCAP inventory
continues to evolve through 'spiral' development, with the Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar
System (CBASS) variant the latest instantiation. (IHS/Kelvin Wong)
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Latterly delivered through a 'Team Torpedo' enterprise partnership between Raytheon, the US Naval
Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), and the US Navy's (USN's) Undersea Weapons Program Office (PMS
404), the Mk 48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability) HWT inventory continues to evolve as the result of a 'spiral'
programme of hardware and software upgrades. The Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System
(CBASS) variant - the result of a joint development programme with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) - is
the latest instantiation of this line.
In parallel, the USN has declared its intention to restart Mk 48 ADCAP production to increase the Mk 48
Mod 7 warshot inventory. This will entail separate competitive awards, beginning in fiscal year 2016 (FY
2016).
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A Mk 48 ADCAP torpedo is unloaded from the US Navy's Los Angeles-class SSN USS Annapolis. (US Navy)
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Derived from the earlier Mk 48 Mod 4, the original Mod 5 ADCAP entered service in 1987 and introduced
digital sonar, signal processing, and G&C while retaining the proven dynamics and Otto Fuel II propulsion of
its progenitor. The last newbuild ADCAP torpedo was delivered in 1996.
The successor Mk 48 Mod 6 introduced enhancements in G&C, and in the torpedo propulsion unit. The
G&C modification improves the acoustic receiver, replaces the G&C set with updated technology, increases
memory, and improves processor throughput to handle expanded software demands. The propulsion
system modification provides a tactically significant reduction in torpedo radiated noise signatures.
Mk 48 Mod 6 achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in 1997. It is also the first torpedo that can utilise
a Torpedo Downloader System to enable rapid software updates for embarked weapons, allowing the
submarine to deploy with the most up-to-date software variant.
The enhanced Mk 48 Mod 6 Advanced Common Torpedo (ACOT) entered service in 2006. The ACOT
upgrade introduced further improvements to G&C.
The latest Mk 48 version, the Mod 7, introduces the CBASS modification to give improved capability in
shallow water environments, and to provide improved countermeasures discrimination. Phase 1
torpedoes, achieving IOC in 2006, delivered the initial hardware and software; Phase 2 torpedoes (IOC
2013) were required to deliver full capability.
The engineering, development, manufacturing, and support of the Mk 48 Mod 7 torpedo has been pursued
in collaboration with Australia under a 10-year Armament Cooperative Project (ACP), signed in March
2003. Under Project Sea 1429 Phase 2, the RAN has acquired the Mk 48 Mod 7 for its six Collins-class
diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) as a successor to the Mk 48 Mod 4.
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Within the ACP framework, the USN and the RAN share Mk 48 Mod 7 development, testing, and
acceptance costs. The ACP has established common requirements, interfaces, configurations, and
maintenance standards, thus enabling any Australian or US submarine to load torpedoes prepared by any
Australian or US torpedo maintenance facility.
In addition, Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is contributing underwater
acoustics, sonar signal processing, and target physics outputs to the ACP over its lifetime. A Torpedo
System Centre was opened at DSTO in Edinburgh, South Australia, in July 2004. Also, a Torpedo Analysis
Facility was commissioned in January 2006; this facility is used to study the performance of the new HWT
in a high-fidelity, synthetic, controlled environment.
CBASS kits provide retrofitted torpedoes with the ability to transmit/receive over a wider frequency band,
and take advantage of broadband signal processing techniques to improve targeting and tracking
capabilities. Lockheed Martin Sippican is the current incumbent for the supply of CBASS kits. Since 2011,
the company has been awarded contracts valued in excess of USD70 million for functional item
replacement kits, engineering services, spares, and production support material. A new competitive
contract, due for award in FY 2016, will cover continued production of Mk 48 Mod 7 CBASS upgrade kits to
meet the USN's Fleet Naval Munitions Requirements Plan for HWTs.
Heavyweight restart
Work to restart Mk 48 Mod 7 production is now gaining momentum. According to NAVSEA, the current
HWT inventory and inventory effectiveness "do not meet current demand signal". NAVSEA added that
"additional procurement of Mk 48 Mod 7 weapons will allow the USN to meet non-nuclear ordnance
requirement loadout levels with [the] most effective weapons".
The current production restart acquisition strategy envisions two separate competitive awards (each with a
base year and four option years), starting in FY 2016, for prime contractors to deliver Mk 48 Mod 7 torpedo
G&C and afterbody/tailcone sections; the G&C contract will combine CBASS procurement to upgrade
existing inventory, plus procurement of full G&C sections. The contractual deliveries from the G&C sections
and afterbody/tailcone sections will be integrated with war reserve warheads and fuel tank sections by the
Intermediate Maintenance Activity at NUWC Keyport, Washington, to create eight all-up-rounds (AURs).
This effort will increase warshot torpedoes availability in support of the pre-major combat operations
phase.
The G&C section contains the shell, broadband sonar array receiver, depth sensor assembly, EMI filter,
G&C Box, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), nose array, pre-amplifier, transmitter, tuning box, and wire
link.
The second competitive contract will procure the afterbody/tailcone section, which will include the
afterbody shell, steering assembly, tailcone assembly, engine assembly coolant system, fuel delivery
assembly, hydraulic system, alternator/regulator, lube oil pump, and Type 2 cables. NUWC Keyport will
perform production acceptance tests on these Mk 48 Mod 7 torpedo sections.
According to the USN, the FY 2016 budget will fund the award of the two competitive contracts for G&C
and afterbody/tailcone sections from the prime contractors, production test equipment upgrades,
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engineering change proposals, and non-recurring engineering to resolve production issues including
obsolescence. Non-recurring engineering funds base contract year technology refresh due to obsolescence
issues and non-deliverable hardware consumed in production acceptance testing. In FY 2016, nonrecurring engineering funds production of six proof of manufacturing (POM) units, POM unit government
testing, first article testing, tooling, test equipment, procurement of technical data package updates, and
start-up costs for production contractors.
An infographic showing the Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo family. The Mk 48 ADCAP (Advanced Capability)
inventory continues to evolve as a result of hardware and software 'spiral' upgrades. (NAVSEA)
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Spearfish upgrade
In late 2014, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded BAE Systems Maritime Services a GBP270 million
(USD421 million) Demonstration and Full Manufacture contract for the upgrade of an undisclosed number
of UK Royal Navy (RN) Spearfish Mod 0 HWTs to Mod 1 standard. Deliveries are scheduled to run from
2020 through to 2024.
Entering service in 1994, the current Spearfish Mod 0 HWT equips all RN submarines, providing them with
a capability against both submarine and surface targets. The Spearfish Upgrade (SFU) programme, which
brings the weapon up to Mod 1 standard, is designed to address the need for incremental improvements in
safety, to remove obsolescence, and to enable through-life cost reduction.
BAE Systems was contracted for the SFU Assessment Phase in April 2010. Under this four-year activity, the
company completed a series of system design, development, risk reduction, and integration activities,
including in-water testing of technology torpedoes undertaken in early 2014 at the British Underwater Test
and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) off northwest Scotland.
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Upgrades being embodied in the Spearfish Mod 1 include the introduction of a fully digital weapon
architecture (both hardware and software), replacement of the current copper/cadmium wire-guidance
link with a ruggedised fibre-optic system (reducing the data latency between the platform and the
weapon), and the replacement of the existing warhead with an IM-compliant one.
In addition, the Mod 1 will transition to a single fuel propulsion system that will offer cost and safety
benefits over the current dual-fuel (HAP-Otto) system. The existing Spearfish Mod 0 hull and Hamilton
Sundstrand 21TP04 thermal propulsion system are retained.
A Spearfish Mod 0 heavyweight torpedo on the test bench at BAE Systems' Broad Oak plant near
Portsmouth. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)
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Tp62 upgrade
Having completed qualification trials for the new Torpedo 2000 weapon in 1995, Bofors Underwater
Systems - now subsumed within Saab - received an SEK568 million (USD68.6 million) contract from the
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk - FMV) in late 1997 to undertake series
production for the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN). Series deliveries commenced in 2001.
Designed to replace the existing Tp613 anti-ship HWT aboard both submarines and fast attack craft, the
wire-guided Torpedo 2000 (designated Tp62 in Swedish service) began development in 1988, with a fullscale development contract let in 1991.
Torpedo 2000 uses a bi-propellant propulsion system (a combination of 85% HTP and 15% kerosene). The
HTP decomposes in a chamber, with the aid of catalytic silver nets, to produce oxygen and steam at 600°C.
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This is fed to a gas generator, where kerosene is injected and fresh water added to cool the system,
resulting in a greater volume of exhaust gas at 750°C. This in turn powers a seven-cylinder piston engine
driving a pumpjet propulsor. Torpedo 2000 can trade off speed against range up to a maximum of about 50
kt and 50,000 m respectively.
Black Shark Advanced
The next generation of the Black Shark HWT developed by Finmeccanica's Whitehead Alenia Sistemi
Subacquei (WASS) business is shortly to begin low-rate production deliveries to the Italian Navy. Known as
Black Shark Advanced (BSA), this latest iteration is intended to replace the current A 184 Mod 3 weapon in
Italian Navy service. Its development resulted from the Italian MoD's Nuovo Siluro Pesante (NSP)
requirements. Development and initial production of BSA has been underwritten by two MoD contracts
awarded to WASS in 2011.
The fibre-optic dispenser on the rechargeable battery-configured variant of the Black Shark Advanced (BSA)
torpedo. (Luca Peruzzi)
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To satisfy the MoD's requirement, the BSA differs principally from the export-oriented Black Shark by
means of its interchangeable battery section (either warshot or exercise), a new IM warhead, and a new
reinforced fibre-optic cable dispenser.
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The NSP or BSA-named weapon system comes in two new different configurations: a rechargeable batteryequipped set-up for training and crew proficiency activities; and a new single-shot battery-equipped
version for warshot torpedoes.
WASS has successfully completed testing and qualification activities of the rechargeable battery
configuration for BSA. According to the company, the new commercially based lithium-ion polymer (LiPo)
battery is the same form factor and weight of a legacy silver/zinc (Ag/Zn) battery, but produces 100% more
energy and 70% more power; furthermore, it has a much longer lifespan of 5-6 years (compared to around
12-18 months for Ag/Zn batteries), without requiring any kind of maintenance discharge. The LiPo battery
also offers five times the number of firing cycles than current Ag/Zn-based batteries.
The rechargeable battery-configured variant of the Black Shark Advanced (BSA) torpedo, seen here being
loaded onto the Italian Navy Type 212A Todaro-class SSK Scire in La Spezia, Italy. Scire hosted harbour and
sea trials for the weapon. (Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei)
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The rechargeable battery-configured BSA has completed test and qualification activities, including harbour
and sea trials on board the Italian Navy's Type 212A Todaro-class SSK Scirè , which was fitted with the
WASS standard Torpedo Board Interface for testing activities. The latter is to be a standard fit on the navy's
Type 212A Batch 2 submarines (boats three and four in the class), and is to be integrated on board inservice boats, being the only main hardware interface modification required.
In January 2014 off La Spezia, Italy, a LiPo-powered BSA exercise torpedo was launched for the first time,
again from Scirè . Testing and qualification of the new battery is understood to have demonstrated betterthan-specified performance, delivering speed, power, and energy comparable to a warshot torpedo
battery while at the same time reducing costs of ownership. Extensive testing by WASS also demonstrated
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improved safety attributes, with Finmeccanica currently building a dossier to demonstrate the fulfilment of
current NATO safety regulations for onboard underwater platforms.
SeaHake evolves
The SeaHake Mod 4 torpedo, in service with seven countries and with over 300 torpedoes having been
delivered. (Atlas Elektronik GmbH)
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Also in the market is Atlas Elektronik's SeaHake Mod 4 HWT. Introduced by the German Navy in 2004 as
the DM2A4, when the first pre-production weapons entered service, the SeaHake Mod 4 is in service with
seven countries with over 300 torpedoes having been delivered. Indeed, the Mod 4 weapon is at the apex
of a 45-year lineage, with Atlas torpedoes currently used by 18 navies on over 150 submarines.
Copyright © IHS Global Limited, 2015
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Big hitters: heavyweight torpedoes follow an incremental

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