Mark 34 torpedo

Mark 34 torpedo

Mark 34 torpedo at Kanoya Museum, Japan
Type Acoustic torpedo[1]
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 1948-1958[1]
Used by United States Navy
Production history
Designer Naval Mine Warfare Test Station[1]
Designed 1944[1]
Manufacturer American Machine and Foundry
Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park
Naval Mine Depot
Produced 1948-1954[1]
Number built 4050[1]
Specifications
Weight 1150 pounds[1]
Length 125 inches[1]
Diameter 19 inches[1]
(26.4 inches across fins)
Effective firing range 3600-12,000 yards[1]
Warhead Mk 34 Mod 1, HBX[1]
Warhead weight 116 pounds[1]
Detonation
mechanism
 Mk 19 Mod 7 contact exploder[1]
Engine Electric[1]
Speed 11-17 knots[1]
(6-30 minutes search duration)
Guidance
system
 Random search circles[1]
Launch
platform
 Antisubmarine aircraft[1]

The Mark 34 torpedo (initially Mine Mk 44, technically Mk 34 mod 1) was a U.S. torpedo developed that entered service in 1948. It was an improved version of the Mark 24 FIDO passive acoustic homing torpedo developed during World War II for launch from fixed-wing aircraft.[2] The principal differences from the Mark 24 were the use of two propulsion batteries, which could be used in parallel while the torpedo was searching for a target to provide greater endurance and in series to provide greater speed in attack mode.

Approximately 4,050 were produced between 1948 and 1954 before production was ceased. The torpedo was replaced in U.S. service with the Mark 43 torpedo around 1958.

Specifications

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mine Mk34". Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Kurak, September 1966, p.145

References