Boeing has awarded a production contract to Australia-based Ferra Engineering to manufacture wing kits for the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC), reinforcing long-standing industrial cooperation between the two companies. The agreement will allow Ferra to establish a local production line in Queensland, supporting Australia’s push to strengthen sovereign defense manufacturing capabilities.
HAAWC is an all-weather precision capability that enables the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to deploy Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes from significantly higher altitudes and extended stand-off ranges. The system uses a GPS-assisted wing kit that allows the weapon to glide autonomously to a designated release point, while retaining the ability to operate in GPS-denied environments using inertial navigation.
By enabling torpedo release from altitudes of up to 30,000 feet, compared to the traditional low-altitude release of roughly 100 feet, HAAWC significantly improves aircraft survivability, reduces mission exposure, and delivers operational efficiencies in fuel and time. The capability is particularly relevant for operations in contested maritime environments where low-level flight presents heightened risk.
The contract builds on Ferra’s expanding role within Boeing’s global supply chain. The company already produces precision components for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft and exports parts for platforms including the F/A-18F Super Hornet, AH-64E Apache, and P-8A Poseidon. In 2023, Boeing and Ferra also signed an agreement covering wing kit production for JDAM Extended Range and JDAM Long Range programs.
