Page 22 - Australian Defence Magazine March 2019

DEFENCE BUSINESS
TORPEDOS
“Extended for 10 years in 2009,
the renewal of the MoA this year would appear to be a foregone conclusion.”
LEFT: The missile shop run by Raytheon Australia at HMAS Stirling for support work.
BELOW: Mk 48s being loaded onto a Collins class submarine alongside in WA.
Through the MoA, the US and Austra- lian governments lay out their continued dedication to the joint development, pro- duction and support of the Mk 48 as well as providing statements of intent regarding related cooperative developments such as the Mk 54 torpedo.
Extended for 10 years in 2009, the renew- al of the MoA this year would appear to be a foregone conclusion. From the technical point of view alone, the continued inclu- sion of the AN/BYG-1 Tactical Weapon Control System as part of the Collins-class’ recent combat system upgrade, as well as the confirmation it will be integrated into the
for transitioning Mk 54 capability to the RAN’s surface fleet and transitioning from the MU90 capability. Having a foot in the door as a result of the Mk 48 program as well as ADF operating the air-launched Mk 54 variant would allow this to be done relatively swiftly, with a minimal transition period for provision of associated technical data and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
Politically, Mk 48 presents another suc- cess story in a similar guise to the Nulka de- coy system, providing a high-quality prod- uct and highlighting the strength of our ongoing partnership with the US even if the latter currently provides significantly more
financial return. While comparison to Nulka could be downplayed from the perspective of monetary value for Australian com- panies, Mk 48 development should be seen as a source of opportunities for Austra- lian industry to explore, an opportunity given new im- petus in light of the pending
MoA renewal.
With the current footprint limited to
technical development at DSTG’s Torpedo Analysis Facility (TAF) in Edinburgh and maintenance at the Raytheon Torpedo Maintenance Facility (TMF) at HMAS Stirling in WA the sustainment and main- tenance requirements may present a more readily accessible path.
However, the Australian presence of the Mk 48 prime contractor Lockheed Martin, as well as those companies that have previ- ously provided components (Ultra Elec- tronics was contracted in 2016 to provide
array nose assemblies for example) could well facilitate local production potential. Currently production of Mk 48 torpedos is limited solely to US manufacture but as the US seeks to check China’s growing subma- rine force in the region through both tech- nological advantage and an increase in their own submarine force, the requirement for increased torpedo warstock is likely.
This in turn could open the door for con- sideration of additional manufacturers to provide the increased output. Further stra- tegic advantage can be gained here as well by distributing Mk 48 production, stepping away from a single production source and increasing logistic resilience in the event of hostilities.
Given the Trump administration’s con- sistent position on allied countries increas- ing their contribution to joint Defence ef- forts, it would also not be unreasonable to expect that in the re-negotiation of the Mk 48’s joint development MoA, pressure will be brought to bear on the current 85:15 cost split for the development program.
Although Australia has been immune to the rhetoric on defence spending aimed largely at the US’ European partners, pro- viding industry capacity as part of this would be a wise step and would be thor- oughly in accord with the latest Govern- ment initiatives to increase our domestic skill base. On current timelines, there is a small window available for pro-active companies to develop and advertise their suitability for possible involvement. This window should also be embraced by Gov- ernment and Defence to consider industry involvement in the forthcoming MoA re- newal later this year.
combat system of the future Attack-class submarine, could be interpreted as tacit ac- ceptance of both a continuing MoA and use of the evolving Mk 48. Indeed, the continu- ation of this weapon and combat system pairing reduces risk and cost to a project already facing stiff criticism on these fronts.
Operationally, with Mk 48 in service and the Mk 54 lightweight torpedo already on the RAN’s MH-60R ASW helicopter and the RAAF’s P-8 Poseidon MPA, there is sound argument not only for pursuing the continued synergies of the Mk 48/Mk 54 pairing (stipulated in the MoA) but also
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