ADELAIDE, Australia, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- U.S.-designed torpedo launchers being modified for Australia's new Air Warfare Destroyers have entered the testing phase of development.
Babcock Pty Ltd., which was contracted by Raytheon Australia to adapt the Mk32 Mod 9 torpedo launcher for the new class of vessel, said the testing is taking place at its Techport Australia premises.
The Mk32 Mod 9 is a double-tubed launcher for torpedoes of the U.S. military's Mark 44, 46, 50 and 54 designs. Australia will use it for firing MU90 torpedoes produced by a European consortium.
The launchers can be fired manually or by remote control.
Babcock received the contract to adapt the system to Australian specifications in 2008.
Babcock Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of Britain's Babcock international and said 80 percent of the modification work, which included new design elements and assembly, was conducted in Australia.
The testing being conducted is to demonstrate the system's ability to fire the MU90 and manufacturing acceptance tests will follow.
"We have made strong progress on the launcher contract, and commencement of testing is a key milestone in this," said Babcock Director Pat Donovan. "As an Australian company, our locally based and focused team, coupled with our international reach-back capability, has been key to the delivery of this project."
