A French Lynx helicopter carrying a mk46 torpedo

A MK-46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Mustin (DDG-89)

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. The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon ( M249 SAW) is the United States military designation for a sub-family of the FN Minimi Squad automatic The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon ( M249 SAW) is the United States military designation for a sub-family of the FN Minimi Squad automatic WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The modern torpedo (historically called an automotive automobile locomotive or fish torpedo is a self-propelled explosive Projectile weapon launched above or below Anti-submarine warfare (ASW or in older form A/S is a branch of Naval warfare that uses surface Warships Aircraft, space craft or other Submarines The North Atlantic Treaty These 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). Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)

General characteristics, Mark 46 Mod 5

• 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. Alliant Techsystems Inc ( is an American aerospace and defense company with approximately 17000 employees and operations in 21 states Otto fuel II is a Monopropellant used to drive Torpedoes and other weapon systems 59 m) tube launch configuration (from ship)
• Weight: 517. 6 lb (234. 8 kg) (warshot configuration)
• Diameter: 12. 75 in (324 mm)
• Range: 8,000 yd (7. 3 km)
• Depth: > 1,200 ft (365 m)
• Speed: > 28 knots (32 mi/h, 52 km/h)
• Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing
• Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
• Warhead: 98 lb (44. 5 kg) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
• Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)

Yu-7 Torpedo

The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 mod 1 block 2. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Yu-7 (鱼-7 torpedo is the Chinese development of the US Mk 46 Mod ^[1] Currently the Chinese navy use the Yu-7 primarily as an ASW torpedo, deployed on ships and ASW helicopters. ^[2]

After the Sino-Soviet split, the Chinese navy was cut off from Soviet assistance, and gradually lagged behind in technology. By the 1970's the Chinese navy was in poor condition and desperately needed new ships and weapon systems. It was reported that in October 1978, a Chinese fishing vessel had "salvaged" a US Mk 46 torpedo in the South China sea.

The salvaged torpedo was sent to the 705 Institute for study and reverse-engineering (Project 109). The first prototypes were produced in 1984, and by 1989 a total of 68 sea-launch tests had been conducted. The torpedo entered service in the 1990s and is in the arsenal of many Chinese navy ships.

Notes

See also

• CAPTOR mine (a sea mine which incorporates a Mk 46 torpedo)
• MU90 Impact torpedo

External links

• Unofficial U.S. Navy Site: MK-46 Torpedo
• FAS: MK-46 Torpedo