Projects

SEA 1429 Phase 2 – Replacement Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT)

Project Overview

Project SEA 1429 is acquiring an enhanced Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Heavyweight Torpedo (HWT) for the COLLINS Class Submarine (CCSM) to replace the United States Navy (USN) Mk 48 Mod 4 HWT currently in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) and the USN have joined in a partnership for the cooperative development, production, and through-life support of a Replacement HWT. The development program involves replacing the existing Mk 48 Mod 4 analogue HWT with the digital Mk 48 Mod 6 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) Advanced Common Torpedo (ACOT) HWT (Mk 48 Mod 6 ACOT HWT), followed by further refinement of the hardware and software of the guidance and control system of the ADCAP HWT to produce the Mk 48 ADCAP Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) HWT (Mk 48 Mod 7 CBASS HWT).

This is being achieved via an Armaments Cooperative Project (ACP) for the joint development of the Replacement HWT. The ACP consists of the following concurrent phases:

• Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD);


• Production; and


• Support.

And has the following objectives:

• Integration of US Department of Defense (DoD) and Australian DoD HWT capability, testing and support requirements to the fullest extent possible.


• Joint participation in an agreed Torpedo Modular Upgrade (TMU) program for exploitation of the best technologies available to develop and support the MK48 HWT.


• To deliver MK48 HWT software updates in accordance with the development schedule.


• To deliver MK48 HWT and upgrade kits in accordance with the production schedule.


• To achieve cost savings through shared financial contributions, hardware and services, and jointly managed Research and Development (R&D), production, and support programs.


• Joint representation in a common Configuration Control Board (CCB) and supporting processes.


• To mutually leverage the capabilities, experiences, and environments of the USN and RAN submarine operating communities to achieve maximum synergy of effort.


• Use of common information systems and networks (to the maximum extent possible) for the exchange of MK48 HWT and related information.


• HWT Intermediate Maintenance Facilities (IMA) in both the US and Australia that operate under common certification regimes with common operating practices.


• Participation in common forums/working groups to address capability, production, support and training of the MK48 HWT and its future variants. This may include but is not limited to; In-service Support Working Group (ISSWG), APB working groups, test and trials working groups, Torpedo Development Working Group (TDWG), Failure Review Boards, Capability Development Document (CDD) Working Groups, Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), obsolescence working groups, MK48 HWT training and tactical development working groups.


• Upon official request, facilitate the exchange of information between the US Department of Defense and Australian Department of Defence related to future MK48 HWT variants, targets and MK54 LWT.

TOP

The CCSMs will be progressively upgraded to accommodate the Replacement HWT, in parallel with the Replacement Combat System (SEA 1439 Phase 4A), as part of the CCSMs’ overall docking program.

HMAS WALLER was the first CCSM to receive the HWT platform modifications as well as Replacement Combat System (RCS) modifications, followed by HMAS FARNCOMB. HMAS DECHAINEUX and HMAS SHEEAN are scheduled to follow, then finally HMAS COLLINS and HMAS RANKIN.

An ongoing “spiral development” program, to incorporate software and hardware upgrades to the torpedo, will ensure the torpedo remains at the cutting edge of technology. These spiral technology upgrades, which will be supported by developmental and operational testing, will continue for the life of the torpedo.

The Chief of Navy (CN) approved both Projects SEA 1429 and SEA 1439 embodied in HMAS WALLER, and their support facilities, for Initial Operational Release (IOR) on 07May 08.

Achieving this key milestone on the path to Operational Release (OR) is the result of an enormous amount of work by the peopleof the Submarine Combat System Program Office (SMCSPO), Projects SEA 1429 and SEA 1439, and also the wider submarine community in the Submarines Branch, Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), Navy, Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Industry and our US colleagues.

Loading a MK 48 Mod7 CBASS Torpedointo COLLINS Class Submarine

Achievements to Date

TOP

• Acquisition and installation of the Torpedo Analysis Facility (TAF) located at the DSTO Torpedo Systems Centre – completed July 2004. This facility is used to study the performance of the new heavyweight torpedo in a high fidelity, synthetic, controlled environment.


• Torpedo Maintenance Facility (TMF) upgrade at Garden Island, Western Australia – completed March 2005. This facility houses the technicians, spares, tools and test equipment to conduct Intermediate and Depot level repairs and maintenance of the Replacement HWT.


• Mk 48 ADCAP/CBASS Developmental and Operational Testing (DT/OT) - conducted successfully in Australian waters late 2005, additional firings conducted in US waters March 2006.


• TMF certified as an Authorised Maintenance Organisation (AMO) for the Replacement HWT – achieved December 2008.


• IOR for HMAS WALLER Weapon Handling and Discharge System modifications and CBASS Spiral 1 software and support facilities – approved by Chief of Navy May 2008.


• Successful delivery of over 50% of the required numbers of Replacement HWTs to Explosive Ordnance (EO) storage in Western Australia – completed May 2009.

HMAS WALLER had the honour of successfully firing the first warshot MK 48 Mod 7 CBASS HWT, controlled by the new RCS, sinking the retired US warship USS FLETCHER. The firing occurred during the Rim of the Pacific 2008 (RIMPAC 08) exercise at Barking Sands, involving multiple navies off the coast of Hawaii between June and July 2008. The ex USS FLETCHER, with a displacement of 7800 Tons, is the largest warship sunk by an Australian Submarine.

Destruction of the US Destroyer USS Fletcher using the Mk 48 Mod 7 CBASS Torpedo

Upcoming Milestones

TOP

• Renewal of the MOU with the USN through 2019 – to take effect Oct 2009
• Further DT/OT firings are planned to support the ongoing Spiral development of the Torpedo throughout 2009 and beyond.
• Transition of In Service Support responsibility to the Navy Guided Weapons System Program Office – Dec 2009.
• Operational Release for the COLLINS Class Weapon Handling and Discharge System modifications and CBASS Spiral 1 software and support facilities - Jan 2010.
• CBASS Spiral 4 software and support facilities IOR – 2012
• CBASS Spiral 4 software and support facilities OR – 2013
• All COLLINS Class submarine platform modifications complete – 2014
• Project closure – 2014 / 2015

Contact

TOP

Heavyweight Torpedo Project Manager:
Mr. Walt Daly
Email: walt.daly@defence.gov.au

Last updated: September 2009