USS Nimitz became the latest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to have a hard-kill anti-torpedo defense system when the carrier left the shipyard last week.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 19, 2013) John Jamieson, a contractor with the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) PMS 415’s Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) team, inspects a portion of the Rapid Prototype Torpedo Warning System (TWS) aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush and SSTD conducted at-sea testing and data collection of TWS and Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo (CAT) system. This is the first time the TWS/CAT system has been used aboard an aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis/Released)
The Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) System consists of the Torpedo Warning System, an automated control station and a Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo (CAT).
Developed by Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Lab, the Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo is designed to destroy an incoming torpedo by collision.
USS Nimitz is the fifth aircraft carrier to be equipped with this technology.