| Mark 39 torpedo | |
|---|---|
| Type | Homing torpedo[1] |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1946-1956[1] |
| Used by |
 United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer |
Vitro Corporation[1] Ordnance Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University |
| Designed | 1946[1] |
| Manufacturer | Philco[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1725 pounds[1] |
| Length | 133 inches[1] |
| Diameter | 19 inches[1] |
|
| |
| Effective firing range |
1300 yards[1] (26-minute search duration) |
| Warhead | Mk 39 Mod 0, HBX[1] |
| Warhead weight | 130 pounds[1] |
Detonation mechanism | Mk 19 Mod 10 contact exploder[1] |
|
| |
| Engine | Electric[1] |
| Maximum speed | 15.5 knots[1] |
Guidance system | Wire[1] |
Launch platform | Submarines[1] |
The Mark 39 torpedo was the first homing torpedo in United States Navy service to utilize a trailing wire for mid-course guidance through the submarine's fire control system. The Mark 39 was actually a Mark 27 Mod 4 torpedo converted for development of wire guidance techniques, which were eventually incorporated into the Mark 37 Mod 1 and the Mark 45. Due to this development, the Mark 39 was considered obsolete and the remaining inventory was scrapped.[1]
References[]
The original article can be found at Mark 39 torpedo and the edit history here.