- Mark 50 torpedo
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Mark 50 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo 
Mark 50 torpedo being firedType Torpedo Place of origin 
United StatesService history Used by United States NavyProduction history Designer Honeywell[1] Designed 1974 Manufacturer Alliant Techsystems Produced 1991- Number built 1000[2] Specifications Weight 750 lb (340 kg) Length 112 in (2.84 m) Width 12.75 in (0.32 m) Warhead HE shaped charge[1] Warhead weight 100 lb (45 kg)[1] Engine Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System Operational
range15 km Maximum [3] Maximum depth 1,900 ft (580 m)[4] Speed 40+ knots (74+ km/h)[1] Guidance
systemActive/passive acoustic homing[1] The Mark 50 torpedo is a U.S. Navy advanced lightweight torpedo for use against fast, deep-diving submarines. The Mk-50 can be launched from all anti-submarine aircraft and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant ships. The Mk-50 was intended to replace the Mk-46 as the fleet's lightweight torpedo.[1] Instead the Mark 46 will be replaced with the Mark 54 LHT.
The torpedo's Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System uses a small tank of sulfur hexafluoride gas which is sprayed over a block of solid lithium, which generates enormous quantities of heat, in turn used to generate steam from seawater. The steam propels the torpedo in a closed Rankine cycle[citation needed], supplying power to a pump-jet.
Contents
General characteristics, Mk-50
Mark 50 propulsor.
- Primary function: air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo[1]
- Contractor: Alliant Techsystems, Westinghouse
- Length: 2.84 m (112 in)
- Weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
- Diameter: 324 mm (12.75 in)
- Speed: > 40 kn
- Power Plant: Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System[1]
- Guidance system: Active/passive acoustic homing[1]
- Warhead: approximately 45 kg (100 lb) high explosive (shaped charge)[1]
Comparable Weapons
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Thomas, Vincent C. The Almanac of Seapower 1987 Navy League of the United States (1987) ISBN 0-9610724-8-2 p.190
- ^ http://www.deagel.com/Torpedoes/Mark-50_a001142001.aspx
- ^ http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ticonderoga/
- ^ http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-50.htm
References
U.S. Navy 'Mark'-series torpedoes Mark 10 torpedo • Mark 13 torpedo • Mark 14 torpedo • Mark 15 torpedo • Mark 18 torpedo • Mark 24 Mine • Mark 44 torpedo • Mark 45 torpedo • Mark 46 torpedo • Mark 48 torpedo • Mark 50 torpedo • Mark 54 MAKO Lightweight Torpedo • Mark 60 CAPTOR
Categories:- Torpedoes of the United States
- Aerial torpedoes
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