Torpedo
A modern torpedo is a self-propelled guided projectile that operates
underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target.
In naval usage, the term "torpedo" was first used in the American Civil War
to refer to tethered naval mines. Around 1897, Nikola Tesla patented a
remote controlled boat and later demonstrate the feasibility of radio-guided
torpedoes to the United States military. Radio remote controlled torpedoes
remained uninvestigated until the Space Age. During the World War I,
torpedoes came to mean self propelled projectiles fired from a ship or
submarine. Later, torpedoes were given (homing) guidance systems.
Torpedoes are weapons that may be launched from submarines, surface ships,
helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. They are also used as parts of other
weapons; the Mark 46 torpedo used by the United States becomes the warhead
section of the ASROC (Anti-Submarine ROCket) and the Captor mine uses a
submerged sensor platform that releases a torpedo when a hostile contact is
detected. The three major torpedoes in the US Navy inventory are the Mark 48
heavyweight torpedo, the Mark 46 lightweight and the Mark 50 advanced
lightweight.
Torpedoes used by the U.S. Navy
Mark 48 Torpedo
The Mk-48 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and
high performance surface ships. It is carried by all U.S. Navy submarines.
The improved version, Mk-48 ADCAP, is carried by attack submarines, the
Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and the Seawolf-class attack
submarines. The Mk-48 replaced both the Mk-37 and Mk-14 torpedoes. The Mk-48
has been operational since 1972. Mk-48 ADCAP became operational in 1988 and
was approved for full production in 1989.
Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes can operate with or without wire guidance
and use active or passive homing. When launched they execute programmed
target search, acquisition and attack procedures. Both can conduct multiple
reattacks if they miss the target. The MK-46 torpedo is designed to be
launched from surface combatant torpedo tubes, ASROC missiles and fixed and
rotary wing aircraft. In 1989, a major upgrade program began to enhance the
performance of the Mk-46 Mod 5 in shallow water. Weapons incorporating these
improvements are identified as Mod 5A and Mod 5A(S).
General Characteristics, Mk-48, Mk-48 (ADCAP)
* Primary Function: Heavyweight torpedo for submarines
* Contractor: Gould
* Power Plant: Piston engine; pump jet
* Length: 5.79 m (19 ft)
* Weight: 1545.3 kg (3,434 lbs) (MK-48); 1662.75 kg (3,695 lbs) (MK-48
ADCAP)
* Diameter: 53.34 cm (21 in)
* Range: Greater than 8 km (5 mi)
* Depth: Greater than 365 m (1,200 ft)
* Speed: Greater than 28 kn (32.2 mi/h, 51.8 km/h)
* Guidance System: Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing
* Warhead: 292.5 kg (650 lbs) high explosive
* Date Deployed: 1972
Mark 46 Torpedo
The Mk-46 torpedo is designed to attack high performance submarines, and is
the current NATO standard. The Mk-46 Mod 5 torpedo is the backbone of the
U.S. Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory and is expected to remain in
service until the year 2015.
General Characteristics, Mk-46 MOD 5
* Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo
* Contractor: Alliant Techsystems
* Power Plant: Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion;
Mono-propellant (Otto fuel II) fueled
* Length: 2.6 m (102.36 in) tube launch configuration (from ship)
* Weight: 234.8 kg (517.65 lb) (warshot configuration)
* Diameter: 32.4 cm (12.75 in)
* Range: 7.3 km (8,000 yd)
* Depth: > 365 m (1,200 ft)
* Speed: > 28 kn (32.2 mi/h, 51.8 km/h)
* Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing
* Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
* Warhead: 44.45 kg (98 lbs) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
* Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)
Mark 50 Torpedo
The Mk-50 is an advanced lightweight torpedo for use against the faster,
deeper-diving and more sophisticated submarines. The Mk-50 can be launched
from all ASW aircraft, and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant
ships. The Mk-50 will eventually replace the Mk-46 as the fleet's
lightweight torpedo.
General Characteristics, Mk-50
* Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo
* Contractor: Alliant Techsystems, Westinghouse
* Power Plant: Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System
* Length: 2.84 m (112 in)
* Weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
* Diameter: 32.4 cm (12.75 in)
* Speed: > 40 kn (46 mi/h, 74 km/h)
* Guidance System: Active/passive acoustic homing
* Warhead: Approximately 45 kg (100 lb) high explosive (shaped charge)
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