Northrop Grumman reports it has received a contract from the U.S. Navy to produce Transducer Array/Nose Shell Assemblies for MK 48 heavyweight torpedoes, the company announced on Thursday.
The MK 48 is the main offensive weapon used on all U.S. Navy submarines. The Transducer Array is the main sensor used to acoustically detect, locate, and guide the torpedo.
"Northrop Grumman has a long legacy of torpedo production and we are proud to partner with the U.S. Navy to ensure the viability of the MK 48 torpedo for years to come," Alan Lytle, vice president of undersea systems business at Northrop Grumman, said in a press release.
"Between the new MK 48 contract and our existing production of the MK 54 torpedo arrays, we are honored to provide the U.S. Navy with affordable and reliable torpedo components and look forward to future opportunities for design and production of advanced, next generation torpedoes for the fleet."
The contract is for 45 Transducer Array/Nose Shell Assemblies, which are worth $9 million. Three additional options — valued around $40.5 million — for 45 units apiece over five years is also part of the deal, Northrop Grumman said.
The contract also includes orders for spare parts and engineering support services.
Northrop Grumman said the work will be conducted at its facility in Annapolis, Md., at Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems' facility in Braintree, Mass., and at additional supplier locations. Installation into complete MK 48 torpedoes will take place at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Keyport, Wash.
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