Leidos advances torpedo protection for US submarines
USN submarines will benefit from the next-generation ADC MK5 anti-torpedo countermeasure (pictured is the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Miami). (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Jhi Scott)
Leidos is to continue development of the Acoustic Device Countermeasure (ADC) MK5 for the USN under a $9.38 million contract option from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
Work is expected to be completed by November 2022, the DoD announced on 8 November.
Leidos was awarded the original ADC MK5 development contract in January 2019, as NAVSEA sought active countermeasure technologies for submarine defence. The deal had a two-year baseline with three 12-month options and a total value of almost $36 million if all options are exercised.
The company received a $13.93 million design and development contract in September 2018 for ADC MK5.
The ADC MK5 will replace the existing ADC MK3 systems on USN submarines. The new system will be 7.6cm wide and be capable of protecting submarines against inbound torpedoes.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
-
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.