US Navy seeks smaller torpedo to counter China's growing submarine force
The US Naval Air Systems Command has requested industry input for a compact air-launched torpedo called Silent Anvil. The weapon is designed to be smaller than existing systems, allowing more aircraft types to carry it. This development comes as the US seeks to counter China's expanding submarine fleet.
The Naval Air Systems Command sought industry feedback in late August, specifying a compact weapon weighing up to 122 kilograms and measuring 178 centimeters. This contrasts with the current HAAWC setup, which attaches a glide kit to a Mark 54 torpedo for high-altitude launches from P-8A patrol planes.
The reduced dimensions are intended to fit carrier storage and handling gear, potentially enabling use from ship-based aircraft. This design goal also allows a wider variety of crewed and uncrewed platforms to deploy the weapon, extending stand-off attack ranges against underwater threats.
This development could reshape regional naval dynamics, as a more versatile torpedo may allow the US to project anti-submarine power from a broader set of aircraft. That capability might prompt China to accelerate its own naval modernization, potentially heightening tensions in the Indo-Pacific. For defense contractors, it represents a new procurement avenue, while taxpayers could face increased defense outlays. Naval personnel may benefit from safer stand-off engagement, though the long-term strategic consequences remain uncertain.