Boeing Secures $61.2M U.S. Navy Contract to Equip P-8A Poseidon with HAAWC Long-Range High-Altitude Torpedo Glide Kits

Boeing secured a $61.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver additional High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) modules for the Navy’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon aircraft. This development marks a notable shift in the operational role of the Poseidon platform, transitioning it from a traditional maritime patrol aircraft to a more versatile strike-capable system.

P-8A Poseidon. navair.navy.mil

The HAAWC system is designed to enhance the deployment of the Mark 54 lightweight torpedo by enabling launches from cruising altitudes. This is achieved through a winged kit that includes foldable wings and a GPS-guided navigation unit, allowing the torpedo to glide toward its target before deploying a parachute for water entry. The system draws on technologies previously developed for the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the SLAM-ER missile, integrating lessons from long-range guided bomb programs.

Operationally, the ability to launch torpedoes from high altitudes offers several strategic advantages. It reduces the need for low-altitude flight profiles, which traditionally expose aircraft to detection and increase airframe fatigue. By maintaining cruising altitude, the P-8A Poseidon can conserve fuel, extend loiter time, and reduce the likelihood of detection by enemy submarines using sonar or visual identification methods. These factors contribute to a more persistent and survivable presence in contested maritime environments.

The HAAWC system reached Initial Operating Capability in 2022 and has since entered full-rate production. Its integration with the Mark 54 torpedo builds on the torpedo’s hybrid design, which combines the cost-efficiency of the Mark 46 with the advanced littoral performance of the Mark 50. The addition of high-altitude deployment capability further extends the torpedo’s operational reach and precision, distinguishing it from older systems that rely solely on parachute or tail-fin stabilization methods.

While the U.S. Navy remains committed to the Mark 54 and its HAAWC enhancements, other nations operating the P-8A Poseidon, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, have explored alternative torpedo systems like the Sting Ray. These choices reflect differing strategic priorities and technological preferences among allied naval forces.

The current contract is part of a broader multi-year procurement program that began in 2022. To date, the program has incurred costs of approximately $161 million, with projections suggesting a potential total value of $349 million if future orders are exercised. All equipment under the latest contract will be delivered exclusively to U.S. naval aviation units, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

Production of the HAAWC modules will be distributed across multiple Boeing facilities, including those in St. Charles and St. Louis, Missouri, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Although the exact number of units procured under this contract has not been disclosed, the continued investment signals a sustained commitment to enhancing the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

There has been speculation about the potential adaptation of the HAAWC system for other platforms, such as the RUM-139C Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket, which also utilizes the Mark 54 torpedo. However, no formal development efforts have been announced in this direction.

The $61.2 million contract awarded to Boeing represents a strategic enhancement of the P-8A Poseidon’s capabilities, aligning with evolving maritime threat environments and operational demands. By enabling high-altitude torpedo deployment, the HAAWC system contributes to a more flexible and resilient anti-submarine warfare posture for the U.S. Navy.