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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 Flag of the United States 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]
No. built 4050[1]
Specifications
Mass 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]
Maximum 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[]

  • Length : 125 inches
  • Diameter : 19 inches
  • Fin span : 26.4 inches
  • Weight : 1,150 lb
  • Warhead : 116 lb HBX
  • Speed :
    • 11 knots (search mode)
    • 17 knots (attack mode)
  • Range and endurance :
    • 30 minutes or 12,000 yards (11,000 m) at 11 knots (20 km/h)
    • 6 to 8 minutes or 3,600 yards (3,300 m) at 17 knots (31 km/h)

Notes[]

References[]

  • Kurak, Steve (September 1966). "The U. S. Navy's Torpedo Inventory". United States Naval Institute Proceedings. 
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