The US State Department has cleared a potential foreign military sale to Norway of MK 54 MOD 0 lightweight torpedoes, estimated at $162 million.
Norway has requested up to 50 systems, which include torpedo units, containers, components, software, training, support equipment, and spare parts. The package also covers engineering, technical, and logistical assistance from the contractor, RTX Corporation of Arlington, Virginia. To support implementation, US government and contractor personnel will be temporarily deployed to Norway.
The US government emphasized that the sale aligns with foreign policy and national security priorities by strengthening a NATO ally, boosting Norway’s ability to counter evolving threats, and improving interoperability with allied forces.
The MK 54 MOD 0 is an advanced lightweight anti-submarine torpedo used by US Navy ships, aircraft, and helicopters. It integrates commercial-off-the-shelf processors with modern tactical software for operations in shallow and complex environments, enabling it to track, classify, and engage underwater threats.
The weapon is 106.9 inches (271.5 cm) long, 12.7 inches (32.4 cm) in diameter, weighs 607 pounds (275 kg), and carries a 100-pound (45 kg) high-explosive warhead powered by liquid propellant. The system is already in service globally, with recent US approvals for sales to Saudi Arabia, India, and Germany.
