General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
Mk 54 torpedo
American lightweight anti-submarine torpedo combining sensors and software from older Mk 46 and Mk 50 torpedoes, launched from surface ships, helicopters and patrol aircraft.
6 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-05
💲 ≈ $839,320 (public figure)
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
US ITAR-controlled
Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.
Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale
Fielded & proven
Established · 6 operators
Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
Unit cost known; one-shot / small-arms class has no meaningful O&S tail to model.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 44 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | PBXN-103 high explosive |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Active acoustic homing, Passive acoustic homing |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 2.72 m |
|---|---|
| Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles. | 0.32 m |
Munition
Round type, penetration, velocity and projectile data.
| Round type APFSDS (kinetic sabot), HEAT / multipurpose, HE-FRAG, canister or gun-launched ATGM. | Lightweight torpedo |
|---|---|
| Projectile mass Mass of the projectile or penetrator assembly. | 276 kg |
| Effective range Practical engagement range of the round. | 9,100 m |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper. | $839,320 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 6 |
Specifications compiled from public General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-05.
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Frequently asked questions
How many countries operate the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Mk 54 torpedo? +
The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Mk 54 torpedo is operated by 6 countries.
How much does the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Mk 54 torpedo cost? +
The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Mk 54 torpedo has an approximate unit cost of 839,320 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.
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