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US Navy seeks smaller air-launched torpedo as China’s submarine fleet grows
The Naval Air Systems Command issued a request for information in late August for the Silent Anvil Air-Launched Torpedo, with requirements including a weight cap of up to 268 pounds and compatibility with aircraft carrier handling.
SCMP Economy reports that as China expands its submarine fleet, the US Navy is moving toward a new weapon designed to expand how far aircraft can reach to attack submarines.
According to the report, the US Naval Air Systems Command issued a request for information in late August for the Silent Anvil Air-Launched Torpedo, a step toward development of a more compact system than existing options.
The article says the navy is seeking a torpedo that can weigh up to 268 pounds (122 kilograms) and measure up to 70 inches (178 centimeters) long and 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) in diameter, with dimensions intended to widen the set of aircraft that could carry it.
SCMP Economy adds that the requirements call for the Silent Anvil to be compatible with aircraft carrier storage and handling systems, potentially enabling carrier-based platforms to field the weapon.