The U.S. Navy is advancing its undersea warfare modernization efforts with a $233 million contract awarded to Northrop Grumman for production of the MK54 MOD 2 lightweight torpedo, an upgraded anti-submarine weapon designed to deliver greater lethality and improved performance against modern submarine threats.
The agreement covers the design and integration of a new warhead, manufacturing validation, qualification testing, and the delivery of multiple torpedo units to support program evaluation. Key work will be performed at Northrop Grumman’s Plymouth, Minnesota site, alongside activities at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia, leveraging specialized energetics and weapons integration expertise.
According to Northrop Grumman, the MK54 MOD 2 effort addresses an immediate operational need for the U.S. Navy, with production accelerated through recently expanded facilities. The service aims to achieve initial operational testing by 2027, underscoring the growing importance of advanced ASW capabilities in contested maritime environments.
The MK54 family of lightweight torpedoes is deployed from ships, maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters, providing a versatile solution for submarine detection and engagement. The MOD 2 variant, developed in partnership with the U.S. Navy and Australian Defence Force, builds on the legacy MOD 0 and MOD 1 systems. L3Harris Technologies supports the program with propulsion technology, having completed a critical Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System test in 2025, a foundational step toward fielding the Increment 2 configuration of the MK54 MOD 2.
