Mark 46 torpedo

For other weapons designated Mark 46, see Mark 46.

Mark 46 torpedo
A Mk 46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Moosbrugger.
TypeLightweight anti-submarine torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service• Mod 0: 1963[1]
• Mod 5: 1979
Used bySee operators
Production history
DesignerNaval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena[1]
Aerojet[1]
Alliant Techsystems
Designed1960[1]
ManufacturerAerojet[1]
Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park
Honeywell
Raytheon[2]
VariantsMod 0[1]
Mod 1
Mod 2
Mod 5
Mod 5A
Mod 5A(S)
Mod 5A(SW)[2]
Specifications
Mass508 lb (230 kg)
Length8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Diameter12.75 in (323.8 mm)
WarheadPBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
Warhead weight96.8 lb (43.9 kg)
EngineTwo-speed, reciprocating external combustion
PropellantOtto fuel II
Operational
range
12,000 yd (11,000 m)
Maximum depth>1,200 ft (370 m)
Maximum speed >40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Guidance
system
Active or passive/active acoustic homing
Launch
platform
Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, ASW Aircraft, RUM-139 VL-ASROC

The Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the United States Navy's lightweight anti-submarine warfare torpedo inventory and is the NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes are designed to attack high-performance submarines. In 1989, an improvement program for the Mod 5 to the Mod 5A and Mod 5A(S) increased its shallow-water performance. The Mark 46 was initially developed as Research Torpedo Concept I (RETORC I), one of several weapons recommended for implementation by Project Nobska, a 1956 summer study on submarine warfare.[3]

  • A Mark 46 Mod 5A torpedo is inspected aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Mustin.
    A Mark 46 Mod 5A torpedo is inspected aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Mustin.
  • A French Lynx helicopter carrying a Mk 46 torpedo.
    A French Lynx helicopter carrying a Mk 46 torpedo.
  • A P-8A Poseidon of VP-16 dropping a Mark 46 torpedo
    A P-8A Poseidon of VP-16 dropping a Mark 46 torpedo

Design details

Variants

  • Mod 0: One of the original versions of 1960 (production started 1963). Solid propellent piston engine. Gyro/wire guidance with passive/active homing.[1]
  • Mod 1: Based on Mod 0. 1967. Uses liquid Otto fuel piston engine. Laminar search guidance.[1] Phase 1 of 1968 uses stronger hull to resist deeper waters. Phase 2 of 1971 uses a new homing program able to detect submarines near the surface.[4]
  • Mod 2: Based on Mod 1 phase 2. More powerful Mk 103 Mod 1 warhead. Improved computer with snake search pattern capability.[4] Known to have been captured by China in 1978.[5]
  • Mod 4: Version for use as Mark 60 CAPTOR mine payload.[6][7]
  • Mod 5: 1979 upgrade kit for Mod 2, also known as NEARTIP (near-term improvement program). New passive/active sonar, liquid fuel and two speed engine for low speed search and high speed attack.[4]
    • Mod 5A: Cheaper NEARTIP upgrade kit for Mod 1 and Mod 2 with improved shallow-water performance. 1980s.[4]
    • Mod 5A(S): Variant of 5A that allows use in water as shallow as 40 m.[4]
    • Mod 5A(SW): Latest variant from 1996 Service Life Extension Program.[4] Boasts improved counter-countermeasure performance, enhanced target acquisition, provides a bottom-avoidance preset, and improved maintainability and reliability.[2]
  • Mod 6: Version for Mark 60 CAPTOR, with some NEARTIP components.[6]
  • Mod 7: Cancelled. Not funded by Congress.[8]

For most variants there is also an inert REXTORP (recoverable exercise torpedo) version.

Specifications

Mark 46, Mod 5
  • Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo[9]
  • 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),[10] 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) with ASROC rocket booster[9]
  • Weight: 508 lb (230 kg)[9] (warshot configuration)
  • Diameter: 12.75 in (324 mm)[10]
  • Range: 12,000 yd (11,000 m)[9]
  • Depth: > 1,200 ft (370 m)
  • Speed: > 40 kn (74 km/h; 46 mph)[9]
  • Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing[10]
  • Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
  • Warhead: 96.8 lb (43.9 kg)[9] of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
  • Date Deployed: 1967 (Mod 0);[9] 1979 (Mod 5)

Yu-7 variant

The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 Mod 2. The Chinese Navy used the Yu-7 ASW torpedo, deployed primarily on ships and ASW helicopters,[11] but it started to be replaced by the Yu-11 in 2012.[5]

Operators

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk46". Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "The US Navy Fact File: Mark 46 Torpedo". 27 November 2012. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  3. ^ Friedman, Norman (1994). U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. 109-114. ISBN 1-55750-260-9.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Mk 46". Weaponsystems.net.
  5. ^ a b "Undersea dragon: Chinese ASW capabilities advance" (PDF). Jane's. 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Mark 60 CAPTOR". Weaponsystems.net.
  7. ^ Simeral, R. T. (1978). "Torpedo MK 46 Physical Characteristics". Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego, CA.; Government-Industry Data Exchange Program. ADA081111.pdf
  8. ^ "MK-46 Torpedo". www.navysite.de.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Thomas, Vincent C. The Almanac of Seapower 1987 Navy League of the United States (1987) ISBN 0-9610724-8-2 pp.190-191
  10. ^ a b c Polmar, Norman "The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet: Torpedoes" United States Naval Institute Proceedings November 1978 p.160
  11. ^ (Chinese language) Archived 2006-11-02 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Frigate Lot 3A - Torpedoes Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy". www.phdefenseresource.com. 3 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Mk 46 torpedo - Weaponsystems.net". www.weaponsystems.net.
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