Lockheed Martin has received two major contract modifications from the US Department of War (DoW) totalling over $1bn, expanding production and support activities for its MK 48 Heavyweight Torpedo and a range of standoff missile systems.
Under a $257.3m modification, Lockheed Martin’s facility in Liverpool, New York, will deliver production, spares, support materials, engineering assistance, and hardware repairs related to the MK 48 MOD 7 Heavyweight Torpedo programme.
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The MK 48, utilised by all classes of US Navy submarines, plays a central role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) operations.
It is a heavyweight, acoustic-homing weapon, equipped with digital guidance and control systems, sonar, digital fusing, and updated propulsion.
The torpedo’s digital guidance architecture enables periodic software-based enhancements to address new threats.
Work on the torpedo contract will take place primarily in Liverpool, New York, with additional activities in Clearwater, Florida and Braintree, Massachusetts.
Project completion is expected by September 2029.
Funding will draw from several fiscal years’ US Navy weapons procurement budgets as well as contributions from foreign partners, with approximately 30% of the contract value set aside for allied navies including the Royal Australian Navy and customers under the Foreign Military Sales programme.
Separately, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been granted an $826m modification to a previous award for its Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) programmes.
This adjustment increases the total contract value from $9.65bn to $10.48bn, covering expanded missile production and related support.
The JASSM, launched from various aircraft, is intended for striking high-value, defended, or mobile targets at long distances, keeping aircrews out of range of enemy defences.
The LRASM, leveraging JASSM’s design, targets maritime threats with autonomous precision, and is being integrated onto platforms including the B-1B, F/A-18E/F, and, with further development, the F-35B/C, P-8, and F-15.
Work on the JASSM/LRASM contract will be performed mainly in Orlando, Florida, with completion scheduled for 31 July 2030.
Funding is being drawn from multiple sources, including fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 missile and weapons procurement budgets for both the US Air Force and US Navy, as well as Foreign Military Sales funds.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, oversees the activity.
