Call for Technology: Sustainment and Refurbishment of Demilitarized Warheads
The US Navy is pursuing an advanced lightweight torpedo capable of prosecuting and defeating challenging adversary submarine targets. To successfully meet this need, a warhead capable of addressing this challenge is required. Inadequate solutions to engage the emerging threats could lead to catastrophic results in the fight for at-sea superiority. A solution to this problem potentially exists within our Navy.
The MK 122 Mod 0 warhead, the explosive component of the MK 50 Lightweight Torpedo, is a candidate to meet this need. Events over the last decade led to a decision to dismantle and demilitarize the MK 50 Lightweight Torpedo. MK 122 Mod 0 warheads were removed from service and entered the demilitarization program for destruction. These warheads are a viable solution to meet the Navy’s need. However, to successfully use these warheads for future torpedo builds, they must be refurbished, tested and assessed before being certified for service. Maintenance, sustainment, and continued health monitoring programs will be required and are vital to their re-use and reliable operation as the next lightweight warhead. The tasking under this concept paper will move us to attain this solution, and save the Navy significant development time and funding.
The objective is to engineer sound technical solutions for maintaining and sustaining the MK 122 Mod 0 warheads that have been relegated to storage after removal from service for the purposes of extending their life and utilizing these warheads in the future lightweight torpedo. Obsolescence and service life issues will need to be addressed to successfully implement the utilization of these weapon components. It will reduce development costs and time by eliminating the need to fabricate and qualify a new warhead system.
Those interested in participating should complete the following form by July 28th, 2017. We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).