{
  "id": 4054970,
  "title": "The US Navy wants its next drone-mounted torpedo to be able to glide silently through the air",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/the-us-navy-wants-its-next-drone-mounted-torpedo-to-be-able-to-glide",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-28T23:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-us-navy-wants-its-next-drone-mounted-torpedo-to-be-able-to-glide-silently"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. Navy seeks to develop a drone-mounted torpedo capable of silently gliding through the air before entering the ocean. The weapon, named Silent Anvil or SAA-LT, must enter the water at specific angles and velocities. Officials are weighing two options: creating a new torpedo or attaching a glide kit to an existing one. The torpedo must weigh no more than 268 pounds and be no longer than 70 inches. The maximum standoff glide range and launch conditions are still being determined. The torpedo must operate across different speed bands and altitudes, with altitude requirements exceeding the capabilities of the P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Engineers must ensure the weapon minimizes aquatic immersion time upon water entry. Development is expected to be rapid once a contract is awarded, with a working prototype needed within 18 months and 180 additional units built within three years. The U.S. Navy is also developing a separate weapon, the Long-Range Antisubmarine Warfare system, to launch torpedoes from ship decks and strike enemy submarines from greater distances. China's growing submarine fleet and unmanned underwater vehicles have prompted this development.",
  "summary": "The US Navy is evaluating two Silent Anvil designs featuring strict size limits, aerial glide requirements, and rapid prototype development.",
  "key_points": [
    "The U.S. Navy aims to develop a silent gliding drone torpedo.",
    "Named Silent Anvil or SAA-LT, it must meet specific entry conditions.",
    "Development timeline targets prototype in 18 months, 180 units in 3 years."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}