Mark 46 torpedo | |
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A Mk 46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Moosbrugger. | |
Type | Lightweight anti-submarine torpedo |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | • Mod 0: 1963 • Mod 5: 1979 |
Used by | See operators |
Production history | |
Designer | Naval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena Aerojet Alliant Techsystems |
Designed | 1960 |
Manufacturer | Aerojet Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park Honeywell Raytheon |
Variants | Mod 0 Mod 1 Mod 2 Mod 5 Mod 5A Mod 5A(S) Mod 5A(SW) |
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.
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, but it started to be replaced by the Yu-11 in 2012.
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