Raptor
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 | | Subject: MK 46 Torpedo Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:59 pm | |
| MK 46 TORPEDO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIFICATIONS :Primary Function : Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo
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),14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) with ASROC rocket booster
Weight : 508 lb (231 kg) (warshot configuration)
Diameter : 12.75 in (324 mm)
Range : 12,000 yd (11 km)
Depth : > 1,200 ft (365 m)
Speed : > 40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h)
Guidance System (Homing mode) : Active or passive/active acoustic homing
Launch/search mode : Snake or circle search
Warhead : 96.8 lb (44 kg) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
Date Deployed : 1967 (Mod 0);1979 (Mod 5)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes, 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 The Mk-46 Mod. 0 torpedo was introduced in the 1960th. Since then, more than 25,000 Mk-46 Mod. 0, 1, 2, 5 and 6 were delivered to the US Navy as well as to 26 foreign navies.
The MK-46 torpedo originated from the RETORC I (Research Torpedo Configuration I) program. In 1989, a major upgrade program began to enhance the performance of the MK-46 Mod. 5 in shallow water. Weapons incorporating these improvements are identified as Mod. 5A and Mod. 5A(S). The MK-46 Mod. 5 torpedo is planned to remain in service until 2015.
Additionally, as part of the "Near Term Improvement Program" (NEARTIP) several Mk-46 Mod. 1 and 2 were upgraded to Mk-46 Mod. 6 NEARTIP. The upgrades included acoustic improvements and countermeasures resistance.
Funds for the development of the Mk-46 Mod. 7 torpedo were not authorized because the Congress wanted the money to be used for the Mk-50 ALWT torpedo.
The Mk-46 Mod. 4 torpedo is part of the Mk-60 CAPTOR (=Encapsulated Torpedo) mine. This mine uses a submerged sensor platform that releases the torpedo when a hostile contact is detected.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VARIANTS Yu-7 Torpedo ::
The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 mod 1 block 2. Currently the Chinese navy use the Yu-7 primarily as an ASW torpedo, deployed on ships and ASW helicopters.
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