Pacific Ocean. (August 7, 30, 2024): The Navy has managed to combine the best of previous missile technologies into a weapon that plays multiple roles in America’s defense. In this photo by Seaman Joey Sitter, Sonar Technician (Surface) 3rd Class Josiah Kirchofer, left, from Dallas, and Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Pierre Ducasse, from Los Angeles, hoist a Mark 54 lightweight torpedo onto the deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance.

Previous torpedo designs were either too expensive for routine use or performed poorly in shallow water, something the Navy anticipates will be a major need in the next conflict. The Mark 54 combines the homing portion and propulsion sections of previous missiles to create a lightweight hybrid which is now the standard for anti-submarine warfare.

Developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, The Mark 54 uses existing torpedo hardware and software plus state-of-the-art digital signal-processing technology. It incorporates an advanced guidance and control system and tactical software to improve torpedo performance.

The weapon can be fired from surface ships via torpedo tubes or through a vertical launch rocket system. The 600 pound torpedo can also be dropped from aircraft, like the P-8 Poseidon, that uses a GPS-guided parachute kit to drop from high altitude.

The Mark 54 packs a punch with the equivalent of one hundred pounds of high explosives. The Navy plans to continue to improve this vital torpedo technology to face emerging threats.