US Navy taps Northrop Grumman for next-gen lightweight torpedo

January 13, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract to manufacture and deliver a new advanced lightweight torpedo to the US Navy, featuring a custom-designed warhead to increase its lethality.

As informed, Northrop Grumman will carry out the integration and initial proof of manufacturing for the advanced lightweight torpedo at its Plymouth, Minnesota, facility and at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Rocket Center, West Virginia.

The $233 million contract covers the proof of manufacturing and qualification phases, as well as the delivery of multiple torpedoes for testing and evaluation.

Leveraging its modern facilities and advanced technologies, Northrop Grumman is positioned to rapidly meet this urgent requirement for the US Navy, the company noted.

“Northrop Grumman is leveraging over 80 years of innovative torpedo technology, combined with our capacity and speed in delivery, to accelerate the design qualification and manufacturing for the advanced lightweight torpedo. This new weapon will provide U.S. and allied sailors with a next-generation response to counter the most advanced undersea threats,” Dave Fine, vice president, armament systems, Northrop Grumman, said.

The MK54 MOD 2 torpedo, developed under a cooperative agreement between the US Navy and the Australian Defence Force, is set to upgrade the navy’s existing MK54 MOD 0 and MOD 1 inventory.

Equipped with Northrop Grumman’s advanced warhead and processing technologies, the new variant promises enhanced performance and greater lethality.

Designed to track, classify, and engage underwater targets, the MK54 MOD 2 is capable of operating effectively in all ocean environments, it was highlighted.

These capabilities are part of Northrop Grumman’s broad offerings in advanced weapons that include missiles, components, armaments, electronics, and interceptors.