US Navy plans compact Silent Anvil torpedo as China’s submarine fleet surges

Intelligence summary

As China expands its submarine fleet, the US Navy is looking to develop a compact air-launched torpedo that could enable more crewed and uncrewed aircraft to attack submarines from farther away. The US Naval Air Systems Command issued a request for information – a step towards development – to industry in late August for the Silent Anvil Air-Launched Torpedo (SAA-LT). While air-launching a torpedo from stand-off range is not new – the US Navy already has the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare.