Raytheon has been awarded a contract by Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi to provide engineering services support for the integration of MK 54 and MK 46 torpedoes onto the Turkish Navy’s ATR-72-600ASW maritime patrol aircraft.
Under the $5.7m contract, Raytheon will also support Alenia’s test, integration and qualification for the external carriage and tactical deployment of the lightweight torpedoes.
Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Advanced Missile Systems Dr Thomas Bussing said: "This international partnership takes advantage of Raytheon’s deep knowledge of aircraft weapons integration, including the Raytheon-designed MK 54 and MK 46 torpedoes."
Alenia Aermacchi is the prime contractor on the Meltem III contract, under which it will provide ATR-72-600ASW aircraft to Turkey.
When fired from a surface ship, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, the MK 54 and MK 46 track, classify and attack underwater targets.
Raytheon’s MK 54 is a hybrid surface-ship and air-launched anti-submarine weapon, which integrates a MK 50 lightweight torpedo’s sonar section, MK 46 lightweight torpedo’s propulsion system and an explosive train.
Featuring design guidance and control system with shallow water capabilities, the system can be launched using Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes or the vertical launch anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) systems, as well as from ASW aircraft.
The ATR-72-600ASW can be deployed for patrolling, rescue, sea and coastline protection from security and environmental threats.
