Mark 46 torpedo
| Mark 46 torpedo | |
|---|---|
 A Mk 46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Moosbrugger. | |
| Type | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo[1] |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | • Mod 0: 1963[1] • Mod 5: 1979 |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Naval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena[1] Aerojet[1] Alliant Techsystems |
| Designed | 1960[1] |
| Manufacturer | Aerojet[1] Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park Honeywell Raytheon[2] |
| Variants | Mod 0[1] Mod 1 Mod 2 Mod 5 Mod 5A Mod 5A(S) Mod 5A(SW)[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 508 lb (230 kg) |
| Length | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Diameter | 12.75 in (323.8 mm) |
| Warhead | PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge) |
| Warhead weight | 96.8 lb (43.9 kg) |
| Engine | Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion |
| Propellant | Otto fuel II |
Operational range | 12,000 yd (11,000 m) |
| Maximum depth | >1,200 ft (370 m) |
| Maximum speed | >40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph) |
Guidance system | Active or passive/active acoustic homing |
Launch platform | Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, ASW Aircraft, RUM-139 VL-ASROC |
The Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the United States Navy's lightweight anti-submarine warfare torpedo inventory and is the NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes are designed to attack high-performance submarines. In 1989, an improvement program for the Mod 5 to the Mod 5A and Mod 5A(S) increased its shallow-water performance. The Mark 46 was initially developed as Research Torpedo Concept I (RETORC I), one of several weapons recommended for implementation by Project Nobska, a 1956 summer study on submarine warfare.[3]
Design details
[edit]- Mark 46, Mod 5
- Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo[4]
- Contractor: Alliant Techsystems
- Power Plant: Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion; Mono-propellant (Otto fuel II)
- Length: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) tube launch configuration (from ship),[5] 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) with ASROC rocket booster[4]
- Weight: 508 lb (230 kg)[4] (warshot configuration)
- Diameter: 12.75 in (324 mm)[5]
- Range: 12,000 yd (11,000 m)[4]
- Depth: > 1,200 ft (370 m)
- Speed: > 40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph)[4]
- Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing[5]
- Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
- Warhead: 96.8 lb (43.9 kg)[4] of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
- Date Deployed: 1967 (Mod 0);[4] 1979 (Mod 5)
Yu-7 variant
[edit]The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 Mod 2. The Chinese Navy used the Yu-7 ASW torpedo, deployed primarily on ships and ASW helicopters,[6] but it started to be replaced by the Yu-11 in 2012.[7]
Operators
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Australia
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Croatia
Ecuador
Egypt
France
Germany
Greece
Indonesia
Iran
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kuwait
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines[8]
Portugal
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Spain
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States[9]
See also
[edit]- CAPTOR mine (a sea mine which incorporates a Mk 46 torpedo)
- MU90 Impact torpedo
- Mark 50 torpedo
- Mark 54 MAKO Lightweight Torpedo
- Stingray torpedo
- Advanced Light Torpedo Shyena
References
[edit]- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk46". Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ Friedman, Norman (1994). U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 109-114. ISBN 1-55750-260-9.
- ^ a b c d e f g Thomas, Vincent C. The Almanac of Seapower 1987 Navy League of the United States (1987) ISBN 0-9610724-8-2 pp.190-191
- ^ a b c Polmar, Norman "The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet: Torpedoes" United States Naval Institute Proceedings November 1978 p.160
- ^ (Chinese language) Archived 2006-11-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Undersea dragon: Chinese ASW capabilities advance" (PDF). Jane's. 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ "Frigate Lot 3A - Torpedoes Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy". www.phdefenseresource.com. 3 April 2021.
- ^ "Mk 46 torpedo - Weaponsystems.net". www.weaponsystems.net.
External links
[edit]- DiGiulian, Tony, Navweaps.com: USA Torpedoes
- Unofficial U.S. Navy Site: MK-46 Torpedo
- FAS: MK-46 Torpedo
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