\u201cThe initial operational capability milestone marks the readiness of HAAWC for fleet introduction for the Navy and its international partners,<\/em>\u201d said Dewayne Donley, program manager.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re excited to deliver greater flexibility and capability by way of higher-altitude launches from longer distances than previously possible.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The milestone follows the award of a\u00a0full-rate production contract<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for the system to Boeing in August, squadron training, and the receipt of low-rate initial production units.<\/p>\n HAAWC consists of a modular Air Launch Accessory, or ALA, kit that attaches to a MK 54 torpedo, transforming it into a precision-guided glide weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a major achievement for our team in reaching our goal of establishing a new high ground in anti-submarine warfare,\u201d\u00a0<\/em>said Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Weapons.\u00a0\u201cWe look forward to continuing to work alongside the Navy toward the full deployment and operational capability of the system.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Additional fielding of HAAWC units are scheduled through 2024, with the potential for production to continue into 2030 under the current contract.<\/p>\n The long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance P-8A aircraft has amassed more than 450,000 mishap-free flight-hours to date in support of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, and performs humanitarian and search and rescue missions around the globe.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.fie.undef.edu.ar\/ceptm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HAAWC-employment-scenario.jpeg.webp\")
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