Surface Navy 2026: New platforms considered as CRAW shifts to production

A rendering is shown here of CRAW, which is shifting to production. (Raytheon)

As Raytheon begins to shift from the prototype of its Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW) to production models, the company is also seeing interest in using the weapon on different platforms, according to Jen Gauthier, Raytheon vice-president of Naval Systems and Sustainment.

CRAW is a small, lightweight torpedo being developed for the US Navy (USN) that could be launched from decoy launchers on submarines to avoid using main torpedo tubes.

“There is commitment for weapons like CRAW,” Gauthier noted to Janes on 7 January during a CRAW programme briefing in advance of the Surface Navy Association National Symposium 2026, which started on 13 January in Arlington, Virginia.

“There is interest in the versatility of using different [delivery] modes,” she said. “There is diversity of opportunity of deployment. A number of platforms are being explored – airborne launch, sea-surface launch as well as undersea.”

For now, Raytheon is working on the production needed to deliver CRAW vehicles for operational testing in Guam slated to be carried out through 2030, to help transition the system into the fleet, according to Gauthier.

“Going from prototype to production is our focus,” she said.

Such a transition often can be challenging for such systems and programmes, she noted. “The undersea domain is difficult. Things behave differently under the water. No matter how good the design is, some things that can work perfectly in the lab won't work when you put it underwater. There are usually some issues when you transition to production and we see some of that with CRAW.”