U.S. State Dep't OK's Canadian Torpedo Buy

[The Bread Guy]

This from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency ...

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Canada of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes with support for an estimated cost of $387 million.  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 16, 2019.

The Government of Canada has requested to buy four hundred twenty-five (425) MK 54 lightweight torpedo conversion kits.  Also included are torpedo containers, Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORP) with containers, Fleet Exercise Section (FES) and fuel tanks, air launch accessories for fixed wing, torpedo spare parts, training, publications, support and test equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.  The total estimated program cost is $387 million ...

More @ link or in attached PDF if link doesn't work.

 

[Underway]

Long time coming. The RCN looked at doing a competition for a new lightweight torp but decided against it as they didn't want to have a different torp then what was fitted on the RCAF kit. Would have required a different project to update the aircraft should a different torp be chosen.  One of the odd advantages of having our maritime air assets owned by the airforce.

The Mk 54 is really quite a good upgrade.  Particularly the warhead.  It's comes with a shaped charge, which means that the small torp can punch through the hulls of all the currently operating submarines on a direct hit.

 

[Spencer100]

First time I have seen a number quoted 425 for the amount of "ammo" purchased in Canada.  I always wonder the amount of bullets, missiles, bombs and torpedoes we have.  I know and understand why this is not broadcasted.  But always interesting to see. 

BTW this number is the State Department and may be very different to real buy. 

May 22/19: Canada The State Department approved external link a possible Foreign Military Sale of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes to Canada. The deal is valued at $387 million. Canada had requested to buy 425 MK 54 lightweight torpedo conversion kits. The country intends to upgrade its current MK 46 torpedoes to MK 54 to be used on the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax class ships, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 Aurora aircraft, and the CH-148 maritime helicopters. The sale also includes torpedo containers, recoverable exercise torpedoes with containers, fleet exercise section and fuel tanks, as well as air launch accessories for fixed wing, torpedo spare parts, training, publications, support and test equipment, US government and contractor engineering, and technical and logistics support services.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

This is pretty awesome news. I have been watching this develop for nearly a decade and cannot wait to see the new torpedoes on the line!

 

[dimsum]

So...digital armament panels for the Aurora and Cyclone?

:rofl:

 

[SeaKingTacco]

So...digital armament panels for the Aurora and Cyclone?

:rofl:

Pretty sure it is already digital in the Cyclone.

 

[Baz]

Pretty sure it is already digital in the Cyclone.

There is no presetter panel in the Cyclone, it's part of the mission computer.

The Mk-46 umbilical is effectively analog.  In the Cyclone the computer talks to the stores management system digitally, which then sets up the weapon via the analog umbilical.

The Mk-54 can support the legacy umbilical, but in order to use all it's capability it has a digital serial connection.  Both the Aurora and Cyclone are going to be upgraded to support the new digital connection; how has not been determined.

To answer an earlier post, there are Air Force projects for both airframes.