DOT&E: Navy fielded new torpedo modifications prior to finishing initial testing

The Navy last year opted to field the latest version of a torpedo prior to finishing early testing and leaving a "primary modification" to the upgraded weapon untested, according to a new report by the director of operational test and evaluation.

"In May 2019, the Navy fielded the Advanced Processor Build 5 (APB 5) for the MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) torpedo prior to the completion of" initial operational test and evaluation, Robert Behler's office wrote in its annual report.

The MK 48 is an anti-submarine and anti-surface ship torpedo used by the Navy's submarine fleet. The CBASS variant is being developed jointly by the U.S. and the Royal Australian navies.

DOT&E submitted a classified early fielding report in September, but noted in its new public assessment that a "primary modification" in the latest version of the CBASS torpedo is untested.

Weapons testers also said APB 5, referring to the new CBASS torpedo, has "no apparent degradation from the preceding variant, APB 4, in its ability to acquire and close submarines and surface ships."

"APB 5 demonstrates improvement in some tactically relevant scenarios," DOT&E added.

Weapons testers plan to evaluate the torpedo's operational effectiveness and suitability after the Navy finishes IOT&E in 2020, the report added.