NDAA Navigator — FY2027 H.R. 8800

SECTION TEXT · SEC. 130.

(a) Strategy and inventory requirement

(1) In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for torpedo modernization, testing, production, and inventory sufficiency.

(2) Elements

The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(A)

An assessment of the minimum required inventory levels of—

(i)

MK–48 heavyweight torpedoes;

(ii)

lightweight torpedoes, including MK–54 torpedoes;

(iii)

advanced torpedo variants;

(iv)

exercise, training, and telemetry torpedoes; and

(v)

torpedo countermeasure systems, necessary to support not fewer than two simultaneous regional conflicts.

(B)

An assessment of wartime torpedo expenditure assumptions for combat operations against peer and near-peer maritime adversaries.

(C)

An evaluation of current torpedo production capacity, including limitations associated with—

(i)

energetics;

(ii)

propulsion systems;

(iii)

acoustic seekers;

(iv)

guidance electronics;

(v)

specialty metals;

(vi)

undersea weapon integration facilities; and

(vii)

single-source suppliers.

(D)

A plan to increase annual torpedo production capacity and reduce production lead times during contingencies.

(E)

An assessment of the adequacy of existing torpedo testing infrastructure, including—

(i)

undersea warfare test ranges;

(ii)

target vessels and unmanned targets;

(iii)

telemetry and instrumentation systems;

(iv)

contested electromagnetic environment testing capabilities;

(v)

digital engineering and modeling environments;

(vi)

Arctic and deep-water testing capacity;

(vii)

shallow water testing capability; and

(viii)

opportunities to cooperate on testing activities with allies and partners of the United States.

(F)

A description of efforts to improve torpedo survivability and effectiveness against advanced countermeasures and adversary electronic warfare systems.

(G)

An assessment of storage, transportation, reload, and expeditionary rearmament capacity for torpedoes during wartime operations.

(H)

A description of any statutory or regulatory barriers limiting expansion of torpedo production, testing, or procurement.

(I)

Recommendations for legislative or administrative action necessary to improve torpedo readiness and wartime sufficiency.

(b) Industrial base expansion plan

Not later 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall develop a plan to expand the undersea weapons industrial base to support sustained wartime production requirements. Such plan shall include—

(1)

options for second-source suppliers;

(2)

expansion of Government-owned, contractor-operated facilities;

(3)

use of multiyear procurement authorities pursuant to section 3501 of title 10, United States Code;

(4)

opportunities to expand public-private partnerships for undersea weapons manufacturing and sustainment;

(5)

measures to improve supply chain resilience for critical components; and

(6)

options for surge production during national emergencies or armed conflict.

(c) Reports required

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees—

(1)

a report on the strategy developed under subsection (a); and

(2)

a report on the plan developed under subsection (b).

(d) Briefing required

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on—

(1)

the highest-risk shortfalls in torpedo inventory and testing capacity;

(2)

operational testing methodology for torpedos and efforts to test for real world scenarios;

(3)

projected wartime torpedo inventory depletion timelines; and

(4)

investments required during period covered by the future-years defense program to ensure torpedo sufficiency for two simultaneous regional conflicts.