The Royal Canadian Navy has carried out a live test of the US-manufactured MK 54 lightweight torpedo, confirming its effectiveness as the newest anti-submarine warfare capability for the Halifax-class frigate fleet.
The torpedo was launched from HMCS Regina (FFH 334) at the Canadian Forces testing range near Nanoose Bay, British Columbia. During the trial, crew members engaged a stationary underwater target while gathering performance data to inform future upgrades and operational use.
Canada’s Department of National Defence stated the objective was to verify that the weapon can be deployed safely and efficiently from Canadian naval platforms as combat systems across the Halifax-class ships undergo modernization.
About the MK 54
Developed by Raytheon in the early 2000s, the MK 54 combines the acoustic homing technology of the MK 50 with the propulsion and warhead components of the MK 46 to strengthen anti-submarine capabilities.
Weighing 608 pounds (276 kilograms) and measuring 8 feet (2 meters) in length with a 13-inch (33-centimeter) diameter, the torpedo uses a polymer-bonded explosive and is powered by a reciprocating external combustion engine. It has a range of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters), exceeds 40 knots in speed, and operates at depths greater than 450 meters (1,476 feet).
In 2019, Ottawa approved the purchase of 425 MK 54 conversion kits from the US in a deal valued at roughly $514 million, replacing the navy’s legacy MK 46 torpedoes.
