Raytheon Missiles & Defense (RMD) has added Aerojet Rocketdyne to its team to support the development of the next-generation torpedo for the US Navy.
As part of RMD’s team, Aerojet Rocketdyne will power the US Navy’s Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW) by providing the afterbody, propulsion system and tail.
RMD’s team is developing the torpedo to provide offensive capabilities to the US Navy fleet to counter enemy submarines.
In addition, CRAW will be used as a defensive weapon to deter incoming torpedoes.
Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president Eileen Drake said: “In all domains – from deep sea to deep space – Aerojet Rocketdyne is committed to being a trusted partner to provide reliable, innovative propulsion technology to protect our service members and enable national defence.”
Aerojet Rocketdyne will carry out associated production work at the Center of Excellence for undersea propulsion, which is located at the company’s subsidiary Coleman Aerospace.
The company will use its six decades of naval expertise to develop next-generation propulsion for the US Navy’s CRAW.
Development of this new torpedo will involve the use of a Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System (SCEPS), which is claimed to enhance overall system capabilities.
Aerojet Rocketdyne will work at its independently funded SCEPS lithium boiler to produce torpedoes’ propulsion technology and afterbody. This facility was opened in August this year.
The same lithium boiler is also being used for the US Navy’s MK 54 MOD 2 advanced lightweight torpedo.
The MK 54 MOD 2’s other transaction authority contract was awarded to Aerojet Rocketdyne in 2020.
