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Mark 46 torpedo
MK46 torpedo launch
A Mk 46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Mustin.
Type Lightweight antisubmarine torpedo[1]
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service • Mod 0: 1963[1]
• Mod 5: 1979
Used by See users
Production history
Designer Naval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena[1]
Aerojet[1]
Alliant Techsystems
Designed 1960[1]
Manufacturer Aerojet[1]
Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park
Honeywell
Raytheon[2]
Variants Mod 0[1]
Mod 1
Mod 5
Mod 5A
Mod 5A(S)
Mod 5A(SW)[2]
Specifications
Mass 508 lb (230.4 kg)
Length 8 ft 6 in (2.6 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 (10,972.8 m)
Maximum depth >1,200 ft (365.8 m)
Maximum speed >40 kn (74.1 km/h; 46.0 mph)
Guidance
system
Active or passive/active Acoustic homing
Launch
platform
Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, ASW Aircraft, RUM-139 VL-ASROC
File:Mark-46-prop.jpg

A Mark 46 Mod 5A torpedo is inspected aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Mustin

Lynx mk46

A French Lynx helicopter carrying a Mk 46 torpedo

The Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the United States Navy's lightweight anti-submarine warfare torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes are designed to attack high-performance submarines, and current variants, 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).

Design details[]

Mark 46, Mod 5
  • Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo[3]
  • 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),[4] 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) with ASROC rocket booster[3]
  • Weight: 508 lb (231 kg)[3] (warshot configuration)
  • Diameter: 12.75 in (324 mm)[4]
  • Range: 12,000 yd (11 km)[3]
  • Depth: > 1,200 ft (365 m)
  • Speed: > 40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h)[3]
  • Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing[4]
  • Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
  • Warhead: 96.8 lb (44 kg)[3] of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
  • Date Deployed: 1967 (Mod 0);[3] 1979 (Mod 5)

Yu-7 variant[]

The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 Mod 2.[5] Currently, the Chinese Navy use the Yu-7 ASW torpedo, deployed primarily on ships and ASW helicopters.[6]

Users[]

  • Flag of Bahrain Bahrain
  • Flag of Belgium (civil) Belgium
  • Flag of Brazil Brazil
  • Flag of Canada Canada
  • Flag of Chile Chile
  • Flag of the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China
  • Flag of Egypt Egypt
  • Flag of France France
  • Flag of Germany Germany
  • Flag of Greece Greece
  • Flag of Indonesia Indonesia
  • Flag of Iran Iran
  • Flag of Israel Israel
  • Flag of Italy Italy
  • Flag of Japan Japan
  • Flag of Kuwait Kuwait
  • Flag of Mexico Mexico
  • Flag of Morocco Morocco
  • Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands
  • Flag of New Zealand New Zealand
  • Flag of Norway Norway
  • Flag of Pakistan Pakistan
  • Flag of Peru Peru
  • Flag of Portugal Portugal
  • Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
  • Flag of South Korea South Korea
  • Flag of Spain Spain
  • Flag of the Republic of China Taiwan
  • Flag of Thailand Thailand
  • Flag of Turkey Turkey
  • Flag of the United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
  • Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
  • United States[7]

See also[]

References[]

Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk46". http://www.hnsa.org/doc/jolie/part2.htm. Retrieved 24 June 2013. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "The US Navy Fact File: Mark 46 Torpedo". 27 November 2012. http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2100&tid=900&ct=2. Retrieved 24 June 2013. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Thomas, Vincent C. The Almanac of Seapower 1987 Navy League of the United States (1987) ISBN 0-9610724-8-2 pp.190-191
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Polmar, Norman "The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet: Torpedoes" United States Naval Institute Proceedings November 1978 p.160
  5. Chinese Defence Today, “YU-7 Anti-Submarine Torpedo”
  6. (Chinese language)
  7. Weapon - Mk. 46 torpedo

External links[]

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