The U.S. Navy has selected Boeing to build and supply a powerful new torpedo-based weapon system designed to hunt submarines from the sky.
Boeing Chosen for Torpedo Launch System in ASW Contract
In a recent announcement, the Naval Sea Systems Command confirmed a contract worth $61.2 million to Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division. This contract covers the production of torpedo launch systems, hardware support, and engineering services for the High-Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability — also known as HAAWC.
The HAAWC system works by giving standard lightweight torpedoes the ability to glide through the air before entering the ocean to track enemy submarines. Engineers specifically designed the system for the Raytheon MK 54 torpedo, which the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft already uses.
Before this upgrade, aircraft needed to drop torpedoes from very low altitudes, sometimes as low as 100 feet above the sea. This method made aircraft more vulnerable to enemy defense systems and forced them to burn extra fuel when changing altitude. With Boeing’s new HAAWC system, aircraft can now launch torpedoes from as high as 30,000 feet — the cruising height of most commercial airplanes.
⚔️ U.S. Navy’s stealth reign ends — China’s J-35 fighter joins carrier fleet
How the Flying Torpedo System Works
The key to this new technology is the Air Launch Accessory (ALA). This accessory attaches to the torpedo and gives it wings and a navigation system. Once released from a high-flying aircraft, the torpedo behaves like a glide weapon. It travels through the air for up to 10 minutes before entering the water and heading toward its target.
As the torpedo nears the ocean, it drops its wings and opens a parachute to gently lower itself into the water. This design prevents entry damage and allows the weapon to begin its underwater tracking process. The glide phase makes the torpedo harder to detect and gives the aircraft more distance and flexibility when launching.
Corporate Crime of the Century? Boeing Faces Fraud Trial Over Deadly 737 MAX Crashes!
Inside the ALA is a flight control computer and a GPS-based guidance system. These work together to steer the torpedo in the right direction. The technology is built using parts from other proven systems. The wings come from the AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), and the tail guidance comes from the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). These parts help reduce development time and ensure performance reliability.
Boeing is also adding a special data link to the torpedo, which lets it receive updated target information while in the air. This means if the target moves, the torpedo can adjust its path before hitting the water.
Long-Range Submarine Attacks Now a Reality
This upgrade is especially useful for the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which is based on the Boeing 737-800ERX passenger jet. These planes are designed for long-range patrols over the ocean. With HAAWC, these aircraft no longer need to dive low to drop torpedoes. Instead, they can stay at high altitudes, spot targets more easily, and strike from a safer distance.
This method not only improves safety but also reduces the time between finding a submarine and launching a torpedo attack. High-altitude launches help avoid detection by shore-based anti-aircraft systems, giving the Navy a significant advantage in maritime warfare.
The MK 54 torpedo itself is a lightweight, all-digital weapon. It uses advanced software originally designed for the larger, submarine-launched MK 48 torpedo. With HAAWC, the MK 54 becomes even more powerful by expanding its reach and flexibility.
🛩️ Boeing locks in 10-year exclusive F/A-18 Super Hornet deal as Navy shuts out rivals
Under the contract, Boeing will carry out the work across several locations, including St. Charles, Joplin, St. Louis, and Piedmont in Missouri; Salt Lake City in Utah; Minneapolis in Minnesota; and Chandler in Arizona. All tasks under this agreement are expected to be completed by January 2028.
The new flying torpedo system gives the Navy an edge by allowing attacks from greater distances and higher altitudes — a step that blends technology with tactical advantage.