Boeing to create HAAWC kit to extend the launch range of Mark 54 torpedoes to 80km

The US Navy wants to arm its Mark 54 cruise torpedoes with the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAAWC) kit. The system will be developed by the US company Boeing to increase the launch range of the munitions.

Here's What We Know

The HAAWC will allow the Mark 54 torpedoes to be dropped from an altitude of 10km. They will be able to hit enemy targets at a distance of up to 80km. The carriers of the cruise torpedoes will be Boeing P-8A Poseidon. Thanks to this kit, anti-submarine aircraft will be able to attack the enemy while remaining out of range of enemy air defenses.

The U.S. may not be the only operator of the Mark 54 with the HAAWC kit. Other nations have shown interest in Boeing's development. In particular, the United Arab Emirates, as well as countries in Asia and Oceania.

The Mark 54 is a development of the company RTX (formerly Raytheon). The 324mm torpedo weighs 276kg and has a warhead speed of over 70km/h. The weight of the warhead is 44 kg. One torpedo costs almost $1 mln.

Source: Marine Insight