British Royal Navy seeks information on long-range anti-submarine weapons

The British Royal Navy has described a potential requirement for a vertically launched anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon, designed to launch a lightweight or very lightweight torpedo against long-range submarine contacts. Naval News Editorial Staff 03 Jul 2024 The Long Range Anti-Submarine Weapon (LRAW) effector solution will be a 'missile/rocket' type launcher system that can be launched from surface combatants equipped with the Mk41 strike length Vertical Launch System (VLS). The Royal Navy's two new classes of frigates – the Type 26 and the Type 31 – receive Strike length VLS MK 41 modules. On 13 June, the Royal Navy’s Directorate of Development issued a request for information (RFI) on long-range anti-submarine weapons. It said it was asking industry to provide details of suitable components, subsystems or end-to-end system solutions, including concepts involving or reusing existing thruster designs. Respondents have until 1 September to submit white papers: interested parties have been told they will have the opportunity to present potential solutions at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference in April. The Royal Navy said it issued the request for information for three reasons. Firstly, to inform and align LRAW requirements with industry capabilities and processes by iterating development requirements ahead of future market approaches. Secondly, to inform a procurement strategy that enables the implementation of a long-term sustainable solution. Thirdly, to receive very rough orders of magnitude (VROM) for end-to-end and partial LRAW solutions. According to the RFI, the LRAW solution requires an interchangeable, stand-off, rapid-reaction, all-weather ASW weapon delivery capability that allows a British lightweight torpedo to achieve a water entry point for a targeted submarine from any VLS Mk41-equipped platform. Detected by organic or third-party sensors, the LRAW will also need to integrate with Royal Navy combat or sonar systems and must be “secure by design.” Engagement range is expected to “comfortably exceed that of current and planned heavyweight torpedoes.” In addition to technical and performance data, the RFI also asks industry to provide an expected deployment schedule of minimum deployable capability and VROM costs for a stockpile of 500 weapons. These costs specifically exclude the torpedo effector. Interested parties may wish to note that there is an opportunity for industry to present potential solutions at the Sea Air Space Conference (6-9 April 2025, Virginia, USA) to be announced at a later date. THE Lockheed Martin RUM-139 Vertical Launch Missile (VLA) represents a candidate solution for the LRAW. In service with the US Navy since 1993, the VLA is a three-stage rocket-propelled weapon that, after launch and rollover, follows a guided ballistic trajectory towards the target area before deploying a lightweight torpedo. The MK 46 Mod 5 and MK 54 torpedoes have been integrated into the VLA.