The System of High-Altitude Discharge Torpedoes HAAWC

Currently, the U.S. naval aircraft BPA (basic patrol aircraft) as the primary weapon against enemy submarines using torpedoes. As you know, hit the water objects dropped from a great height, could be devastating for them. In this regard, the torpedo should be dropped from low altitude, usually less than 30 feet above the water surface. However, two recent developments make this approach less practical for the U.S. military. 

The first is a submarine-launched anti-aircraft missiles, which are modified missile air-to-air short-range actions that do not require guidance on the radar. The second event was the choice of aircraft P-8A Poseidon as the next major maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Aircraft P-8A can perform low-altitude flight, if necessary, but it is optimized for glider flying at high altitude. One option is to discharge a torpedo with a parachute, but this method solves the problem of height, but not distance. To launch torpedoes Mk54, are not equipped with a set of HAAWC, aircraft have to decline at a fairly low altitude.

The decision came from the company Lockheed Martin, developed the system of high-altitude discharge torpedoes HAAWC (High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapons Capability). The basis of the system is HAAWC LongShot - a modernized set of aerodynamic surfaces (wings) for the Mk54 torpedoes, allowing them to start producing from aircraft P-8A and P-3C from great heights and at a great distance from the target. Start with a torpedo HAAWC can also be produced by standard shipboard vertical launch systems (Vertical Launch Systems, VLS).


Standard kit allows you to start LongShot in the altitude range 250 - 15 000 meters away from the target to 90 km. Raytheon Mk54 torpedo production is a standard light antisubmarine torpedo-caliber 354 mm, designed on the basis of torpedoes Mk50 and Mk46. Remote Start allows to increase the efficiency of torpedo damage discovered underwater targets, to make start-up without having to log into the zone of destruction of enemy air defense, and without going to the course objectives since the start can be made ​​at an arbitrary position of the target relative to the plane of the course at the time of discharge torpedoes. 

Extending the range and altitude launch increases the survival of the crew and the aircraft themselves. Set HAAWC is a cheap, self-contained (standard contained inertial navigation system and navigation system based on GPS to improve accuracy and reduce delivery time torpedoes Mk54, onboard computer, the system of aerodynamic control and power supply), is easily fitted to conventional torpedoes wing adapter, which allows to run Mk54 torpedo from a great height from the inner compartment of aircraft P-8A and P-3C. HAAWC consists of wing and tail kits. The torpedo, fitted kit HAAWC, plans to achieve normal height for launching torpedoes over the surface, and then mounted on the dash sets of wings and tail fired off in a predetermined position before entering a torpedo in the water.

An important advantage is the reduction HAAWC loads on the airframe of aircraft P-8A and P-3C, allowing them to stay at high altitude for the launch torpedoes equipped HAAWC, helping to reduce fatigue on the aircraft. In addition, the kit reduces fuel consumption due to the fact that the launch torpedoes does not require changing the flight profile.


Features HAAWC
• Start from a great height, and from a safe distance 
• High precision afforded by the inertial and GPS navigation system 
• Improves Survival of the aircraft and crew 
• Low cost 
• High precision delivery Features • Dimensions allow placement of the inner compartment of aircraft P-8A and P -3C • Dimensions: length 2900 mm, width 558 mm, height 533 mm • Minimizes temperature effects on the Mk54 torpedoes and Mk46 • Uses conventional suspension system on the P-3 • Uses conventional torpedoes Mk54 and Mk46