Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable's (AS 40) weapons department, stabilize a Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo during a weapons on-load in February 2017 (Photo: U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alana Langdon/Released)
By Rich Abott |
@ReaderRabott
1 year ago |
04/10/2023
Navy/USMC

Science Applications International Corp. [SAIC] won a $102.5 million contract from the Navy to continue supporting production on the MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight Torpedo program, the company said on Monday.

This is a modification of a late 2021 $124 million contract for production of the torpedo afterbody/tailcones and warshot fuel tank torpedo equipment and support. That original contract announcement said it included options that, if all exercised, would raise the total value to $1.1 billion (

Defense Daily, Nov. 28, 2021).

Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable's (AS 40) weapons department, stabilize a Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo during a weapons on-load in February 2017 (Photo: U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alana Langdon/Released)
Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable‘s (AS 40) weapons department, stabilize a Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo during a weapons on-load in February 2017 (Photo: U.S. Navy by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alana Langdon/Released)

The base contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy, Australia and Taiwan.

SAIC said this latest modification will have the company produce, assemble, test and deliver MK 48 Mod 7 Torpedo Afterbody Tailcones (AB/TC) and MK29 Mod 0 Warshot Fuel Tanks to the U.S. Navy and its Foreign Military Sales partners.

“SAIC has a long history of supporting the U.S. Navy, notably our work providing the dominant undersea weapons it requires. We are honored by the Navy’s confidence in SAIC, and proud to expand our support of the MK 48 program,” Bob Genter, president of the defense and civilian sector at SAIC, said in a statement.

The company also noted it currently provides all the necessary facilities, resources and management to meet the contract’s integration, production, test and delivery requirements.

The Navy’s fiscal year 2024 budget request seeks to procure 78 more MK 48 Mod 7 Heavyweight Torpedoes for $308 million with plans to buy another 79 in FY ‘25, 86 in FY ‘26, 81 in FY ‘27 and 95 in FY ‘28.

The MK 48 Mod 7 is the Navy’s primary submarine-launched anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare weapon. It is an acoustic-homing torpedo with a digital guidance system that the Navy says allows for repeated upgrades.

The Mod 7 variant of the torpedo came about from a joint development program with the Royal Australian Navy that first reached initial operational capability in 2006. The primary program contractor is Lockheed Martin [LMT], which also produces the guidance and control sections for the MK 48 Mod 7.