The Mark 48 is a U.S.-origin heavyweight acoustic-homing torpedo for submarine attacks against submarines and surface ships. The Navy describes Mod 7 as the latest version, developed with Australia and kept current through digital guidance and software upgrades.
In the 2020 United States-Iran Conflict, a U.S. fast attack submarine fired a single Mark 48 torpedo to sink an Iranian warship operating outside the main theater in the Indian Ocean.
The Mark 48 family is maintained as an upgradeable submarine weapon rather than a single static torpedo design.
| Area | What the sources document | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Digital upgrade path | The Navy credits the all-digital guidance-and-control system with allowing repeated software upgrades as threats evolve. | MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo |
| Mod 7 testing | DOT&E describes Mod 7 APB 5/5+ as a shared development effort with Australia and reports APB 5+ fielding in FY23. | DOT&E FY2023 Annual Report: Navy: Mk 48 |
| Industrial support | SAIC says its 2023 contract option covered Mod 7 afterbody/tailcone assemblies and warshot fuel tanks for the U.S. Navy and foreign partners through FMS programs. | SAIC Awarded $102M Contract to Support U.S. Navy Torpedo Production |
The current public designation history centers on the ADCAP family: Mod 6 introduced the late-1990s production baseline, Mod 7 added the CBASS hardware path, and later Advanced Processor Builds update Mod 7 software.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 48 Mod 6 | ADCAP production baseline | The Navy says the last Mod 6 production torpedo was delivered in 1996 and that Mod 6 reached IOC in 1997 before later upgrade-kit improvements. Sources: MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo |
| Mk 48 Mod 7 | CBASS heavyweight torpedo | The Navy identifies Mod 7 as the latest version, developed with the Royal Australian Navy and declared IOC in 2006. Sources: MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo |
| Mk 48 Mod 7 APB 5/5+ | Software-updated Mod 7 configuration | DOT&E says APB 5+ completed operational testing in May 2023 and was fielded in FY23, while APB 6 software was in engineering testing for a future Mod 8 path. |
DOT&E describes the earliest version of the Navy's Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo as fielded in 1972.
Sources: DOT&E FY2023 Annual Report: Navy: Mk 48
The Navy says Mod 6 reached initial operational capability in 1997 after the last Mod 6 production torpedo was delivered in 1996.
Sources: MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo
The Navy identifies Mod 7 as the latest version and says it reached IOC in 2006 after joint development with the Royal Australian Navy.
Sources: MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo
DOT&E reported that the Navy ended APB 5+ operational test in May 2023 and fielded APB 5+ during FY23.
Sources: DOT&E FY2023 Annual Report: Navy: Mk 48
Public sources show the torpedo moving through allied development, foreign military sales support, and approved transfer cases.
| Customer or partner | Documented context | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | The U.S. Navy describes Mod 7 as the result of a joint development program with the Royal Australian Navy. | MK 48 - Heavyweight Torpedo |
| Foreign Military Sales users | SAIC says Mod 7 production support includes deliveries to foreign partners through implemented FMS programs. | SAIC Awarded $102M Contract to Support U.S. Navy Torpedo Production |
| Taiwan | A 2020 Federal Register arms-sales notification covers Taiwan's request for 18 Mk 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes and support equipment. | Arms Sales Notification: TECRO MK 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedo |
