The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Germany of MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification, notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Germany has requested to buy up to 80 MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT). The estimated total program cost is $300 million. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Integrated Defence Systems, Portsmouth, RI.
The sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by upgrading Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities on its P-8A aircraft. Germany has procured 5 + 3 naval aircraft cooperation P-8A Poseidon with a total cost of € 2.88 billion (€ 1.77 and €1.1 billion respectively).
The Mk.54 torpedoes weigh 276 kg, are 2.72 meters long and are 324 millimetres in calibre. They incorporate a 43.9 kg PBXN-130 warhead and achieve a maximum range of 9.1 kilometres at a speed of at least 40 knots.
