The Royal Canadian Navy has conducted a live demonstration of the MK 54 lightweight torpedo, confirming its readiness as a new anti-submarine weapon for the Halifax-class frigates.
Launched from HMCS Regina during testing near Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, the torpedo was fired at a stationary underwater target. Data gathered from the event will help refine operational use and guide future capability upgrades.
The Department of National Defence emphasized that the trial was aimed at certifying the weapon’s safe and effective deployment from Canadian warships as part of ongoing fleet modernization.
Capabilities of the MK 54
First introduced by Raytheon in the early 2000s, the MK 54 combines advanced acoustic homing derived from the MK 50 with the propulsion and warhead systems of the MK 46.
The torpedo weighs 608 pounds, measures 8 feet in length, and has a 13-inch diameter. It employs a polymer-bonded explosive and a reciprocating external combustion engine, achieving a range of 30,000 feet, speeds over 40 knots, and operating depths beyond 450 meters.
Ottawa’s 2019 procurement of 425 MK 54 conversion kits, valued at approximately $514 million, marked a significant step in replacing the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging MK 46 torpedo stock.
