KEYPORT — Five years ago, a partnership was forged that married public and private industry in Torpedo Town U.S.A.

And national security, the U.S. Navy and Kitsap County’s economy are each the better for it, Congressman Norm Dicks commented last week.

A packed house gathered in Keyport Feb. 22 to celebrate an important milestone for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and partner, the Raytheon Company. The event marked the success of the Team Torpedo initiative, which is being lauded as an innovation in keeping technology current in today’s budget-challenged military.

“It’s a proud day to be a part of Raytheon and Team Torpedo,” said Upinda Dhinsa, vice president of Naval Integrated Systems for Raytheon Integrated Systems. “I’m personally gratified and absolutely thrilled because I have been part of this group for many, many years and it’s your success that’s allowed us to make great strides in the world of torpedoes.”

The impetus behind Team Torpedo began in the early 1990s when tightening budgets were already threatening the Navy’s ability to conduct business as usual. Dicks said $120 million to $160 million in Naval procurement dollars have already been lost and the result is an emphasis on upgrading equipment rather than replacing it.

“The industry has contracted dramatically in the last decade,” he explained.

The Team Torpedo effort began in earnest in 2000 when Raytheon actually moved some of its operations to a formerly empty building on the Keyport base. Not only did the move save both entities traveling expenses, but those involved call the idea a win-win situation because staff are able to collaborate on a more hands-on basis.

“There’s no better way to be able to work together than to walk across the street or down the road and be able to talk to one another,” said Rear Admiral John D. Butler, Submarine Program Executive Officer for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

But the real test of the partnership’s effectiveness was in the output. Team Torpedo was tasked with creating a new generation of lightweight torpedoes — the MK48 and MK54 — that would be better and less costly than their predecessors. The team announced success in its goal when Raytheon was awarded a $7.7 million contract earlier this year for full rate production of both for the Navy.

“With the Navy’s acquisition budget growing ever tighter, this partnership is an example to the rest of the Navy on how to get the most bang for its buck,” Butler commented.

“We’re doing the right thing on torpedoes and I’m pleased Keyport is at the front of things with Raytheon,” Dicks added. “I’m just pleased it worked out so well.”

But beyond dollars and cents, those gathered at Keyport Tuesday praised Team Torpedo for its part in supporting the Navy and its allies. By working smarter, Dhinsa said, Team Torpedo is also helping ensure the safety of men and women in uniform.

“At the end of the day, myself and my group are responding to the end user and that’s the war-fighter,” he commented.