Alenia Aermacchi taps Raytheon for torpedo integration work

LONDON, July 17 (UPI) -- Integration of torpedoes onto maritime patrol aircraft for Turkey will be conducted by Raytheon under a contract from Alenia Aermacchi.

The 31-month engineering support services award is worth $5.7 million.

Raytheon said its services will specifically involve supporting Alenia Aermacchi's test, integration and qualification for the external carriage and tactical employment of Raytheon's MK 54 and MK 46 lightweight weapons.

The torpedoes are for tracking and attack underwater targets.

Raytheon said the integration support is for Alenia Aermacchi's ATR-72-600ASW aircraft.

"This international partnership takes advantage of Raytheon's deep knowledge of aircraft weapons integration, including the Raytheon-designed MK 54 and MK 46 torpedoes," said Dr. Thomas R. Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missile Systems at Raytheon Missile Systems. "Raytheon engineers are known worldwide for their expertise and will strive to be valuable team members on this co-development effort."

Additional details of the contract were not disclosed by Raytheon, which made the contract announcement in Britain, where it is participating in an international air show.