Mark 46 torpedo

Mk 46 is also the designation of the Mk 46 Mod 0 variant of the M249 light machine gun

Mark 46 torpedo
A Mk 46 exercise torpedo launched from USS Mustin.
Type	Lightweight torpedo
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1967(Mod 0) 1979(Mod 5)
Used by	United States Navy  Royal Navy
Production history
Designer	Alliant Techsystems
Specifications
Weight	508 lb (231 kg)
Length	8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
Diameter	12.75 inch(324 mm)
Warhead	PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
Warhead weight	96.8 lb (44 kg)
Engine	Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion
Propellant	Mono-propellant(Otto fuel II)
Operational range	12,000 yd (11 km)
Maximum depth	> 1,200 ft (365 m)
Speed	40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h)
Guidance system	Active or passive/active Acoustic homing
Launch platform	Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes, ASW Aircraft, RUM-139 VL-ASROC

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).

General characteristics, Mark 46 Mod 5

• Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo^[1]
• 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),^[2] 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) with ASROC rocket booster^[1]
• Weight: 508 lb (231 kg)^[1] (warshot configuration)
• Diameter: 12.75 in (324 mm)^[2]
• Range: 12,000 yd (11 km)^[1]
• Depth: > 1,200 ft (365 m)
• Speed: > 40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h)^[1]
• Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing^[2]
• Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
• Warhead: 96.8 lb (44 kg)^[1] of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
• Date Deployed: 1967 (Mod 0);^[1] 1979 (Mod 5)

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

Yu-7 Torpedo

The Chinese Yu-7 torpedo is said to be based on the Mk 46 mod 2.^[3] Currently the Chinese navy use the Yu-7 primarily as an ASW torpedo, deployed on ships and ASW helicopters.^[4]

See also

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

A French Lynx helicopter carrying a Mk 46 torpedo

Notes

1. ^ ^{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
2. ^ ^{a b c} Polmar, Norman "The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet: Torpedoes" United States Naval Institute Proceedings November 1978 p.160
3. ^ Chinese Defence Today, “YU-7 Anti-Submarine Torpedo”
4. ^ (Chinese language)

External links

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