Canadian navy test fires new anti-submarine torpedo

The new Mark 54 torpedo was fired earlier this month at the Canadian Forces’ experimental test range near Nanoose, B.C.

The Canadian navy has test-fired a new lightweight anti-submarine torpedo, achieving what the Department of National Defence calls a major milestone in the modernization of its warships.

The new Mark 54 torpedo was fired earlier this month at the Canadian Forces’ experimental test range near Nanoose Bay, B.C.

The torpedo was launched from HMCS Regina, becoming the first Canadian frigate to deploy the U.S.-made weapon that was developed by defence contractor Raytheon in conjunction with the U.S. Navy.

The Department of National Defence says in a statement that the test—conducted between Feb. 2 and Feb. 4—was “designed to ensure the weapon can be safely and effectively used from Canadian warships” as the navy moves to overhaul the combat systems on all 12 of its frigates.

Canada sought to acquire 425 of the next-generation torpedo kits from the U.S. in 2019 for an estimated $514 million.

The U.S. State Department approved the sale in May of that year, sending it to the U.S. Congress, which did not intervene to halt or alter the transaction before its 15-day deadline.

The Pentagon said in a 2019 statement the torpedo sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military capability of Canada,” which it called “an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress and a contributor to military, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world.”

• Read more: Canada to spend $500M on U.S. anti-submarine torpedo

At roughly $1.2 million apiece, the torpedo kits included enhanced guidance systems and improved counter-countermeasures to convert Canada’s existing arsenal of Cold War-era Mark 46 torpedoes into the modern Mark 54 configuration.

Raytheon began producing the Mark 54 lightweight torpedo in 2004. The Pentagon said Canada would acquire the weapons to outfit not only its Halifax-class frigates, but its CP-140 Aurora airplanes and CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, as well.

‘Warfighting credibility’

Cmdr. Darren Sleen, the commanding officer of HMCS Regina, says the ship’s crew is “proud to be the first ship” in the navy to fire the Mark 54 torpedo.

“These trials not only showcase the professionalism of our sailors, but also directly contribute to our warfighting credibility and support our relentless pursuit of personnel generation,” Sleen said in a statement.

The first torpedo was test-fired against a stationary underwater target, allowing sailors and weapons specialists to “observe how the ship detects targets, prepares weapons, and launches the torpedo, while collecting performance information that will help guide future upgrades,” National Defence said.

The new torpedo represents a significant improvement in the navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, ensuring the aging Halifax-class frigates remain effective against underwater threats in the future, according to the department.

“This phase of testing supports the navy’s goal of bringing the new torpedo into operational service across the fleet,” the statement said. “This work will support future testing and ensure the Mark 54 torpedo is fully understood and thoroughly evaluated before it enters regular service.”