The Royal Canadian Navy recently tested an integrated submarine combat system developed by Lockheed Martin, marking Canada’s first use of the combat system with the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo, variant 7AT. The launch distinguishes the Lockheed Martin CCS 876 command and control, weapon control system as the only system to successfully launch three international variants of the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo—the 4M, 6AT and 7AT.

The exercise took place at the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR) on the U.S. Navy Yard Torpedo Tender Battle Point, a surface ship that can launch torpedoes from submarine tubes.

Following the successful torpedo launch from Battle Point, the next step is to install the submarine combat system on the Canadian Victoria class submarine for further test firings. The plan is to upgrade all Victoria Class submarines to the CCS 876 Combat System over the next few years.

“This test is further proof of Lockheed Martin’s ability to successfully integrate combat systems on diesel-electric submarines with the latest commercially available technology,” said Michele Evans, Vice President and General Manager from Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, “and it speaks to the sustained commitment the integrated Canadian and U.S. based Lockheed Martin teams have with the Royal Canadian Navy.”

The Lockheed Martin Canada teams in Dartmouth and Victoria play a key role in the Canadian submarine modernization program. They perform in-field maintenance and all phases of testing at Canadian Forces Bases Halifax and Esquimalt. They have also upgraded the combat system simulators.

Along with the CCS 876 Combat System, the Royal Canadian Navy is also deploying the AN/BQQ-10(v)7 sonar system developed by Lockheed Martin, a variant of the U.S. Navy’s acoustic rapid COTS insertion (ARCI) program. Both systems are designed for submarines with the capability to seamlessly interface with the ship’s legacy systems. Lockheed Martin has been providing combat weapons systems to the Royal Canadian Navy since 1981.

With more than 40 years of experience, Lockheed Martin is a leader in integrating submarine combat systems for U.S. and allied navies. The combat system features an open-architecture solution that uses commercially available technology, making it adaptable for various-sized submarines.