Mark 46 torpedo

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Mk 46 is also the designation of the Mk 46 Mod 0 variant of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
A French Lynx helicopter carrying a mk46 torpedo
A French Lynx helicopter carrying a mk46 torpedo
A MK-46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Mustin (DDG-89)
A MK-46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Mustin (DDG-89)

Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard. These torpedoes, such as the Mark 46 Mod 5, are expected to remain in service until the year 2015. In 1989, a major upgrade program for the Mod 5 began to improve its shallow-water performance, resulting in the Mod 5A and Mod 5A(S).

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[edit] General characteristics, Mark 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)
  • Length: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) tube launch configuration (from ship)
  • Weight: 517.6 lb (234.8 kg) (warshot configuration)
  • Diameter: 12.75 in (324 mm)
  • Range: 8,000 yd (7.3 km)
  • Depth: > 1,200 ft (365 m)
  • Speed: > 28 knots (32 mi/h, 52 km/h)
  • Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing
  • Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
  • Warhead: 98 lb (44.5 kg) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
  • Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)

[edit] Yu-7 Torpedo

The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 mod 1 block 2.[1] Currently the Chinese navy use the Yu-7 primarily as an ASW torpedo, deployed on ships and ASW helicopters.[2]

After the Sino-Soviet split, the Chinese navy was cut off from Soviet assistance, and gradually lagged behind in technology. By the 1970's the Chinese navy was in poor condition and desperately needed new ships and weapon systems. It was reported that in October 1978, a Chinese fishing vessel had "salvaged" a US Mk 46 torpedo in the South China sea.

The salvaged torpedo was sent to the 705 Institute for study and reverse-engineering (Project 109). The first prototypes were produced in 1984, and by 1989 a total of 68 sea-launch tests had been conducted. The torpedo entered service in the 1990s and is in the arsenal of many Chinese navy ships.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Chinese Defence Today, “YU-7 Anti-Submarine Torpedo”
  2. ^ (Chinese language)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links