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The anti-submarine warfare system capability has met initial operating requirements for the US Navy.
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Boeing’s High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) — designed to enable the Boeing P-8A Poseidon to deploy MK 54 torpedoes from near or below its cruising altitude — has officially achieved initial operational capability (IOC) after satisfying US Navy requirements during a test and evaluation process.
This follows Boeing’s receipt of a full-rate production contract in August for the provision of squadron training and low-rate initial production units.
HAAWC leverages a modular Air Launch Accessory (ALA) kit, which attaches to a MK 54 torpedo, transforming it into a precision-guided glide weapon.
“The initial operational capability milestone marks the readiness of HAAWC for fleet introduction for the Navy and its international partners,” Dewayne Donley, program manager, said.
“We’re excited to deliver greater flexibility and capability by way of higher-altitude launches from longer distances than previously possible.”
Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Weapons, said hitting IOC would help establish a “new high ground” in anti-submarine warfare.
“We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Navy toward the full deployment and operational capability of the system,” Ciesla added.
Additional HAAWC units are scheduled to be delivered throughout 2024, with the contract including an option to extend production into 2030.
Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon has flown more than 450,000 hours to date in support of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations.
The platform is operated by a number of air forces around the world, including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Most recently, Boeing was tasked with sustaining the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) P-8A Poseidon aircraft as part of a new contract signed between Boeing Defence Australia’s vice president and managing director Scott Carpendale and the New Zealand Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Kevin Short.
The initial contract — which commenced this month and is set to run to September 2028 — involves the provision of engineering and supply chain services for an initial six-year period.
The head agreement includes options to deliver services throughout the life of the fleet via rolling three-year extensions, subject to performance.
[Related: Boeing and BMT partner on maritime communications project .]
