Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes

Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes
Personnel from USS Porter loading a recoverable training torpedo into the top tube of a Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes set

The Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (Mk 32 SVTT) system[1] is a torpedo launching system designed for the United States Navy. The Mark 32 has been the standard anti-submarine torpedo launching system aboard United States Navy surface vessels since its introduction[2] in 1960,[citation needed] and in use aboard the warships of several other navies.[2]

Most versions (referred to as modifications or mods) are triple-tube sets that can be rotated or trained to face a target.[2] The exception is the Mod 9 sets, which only have two tubes and are fixed in position.[2] The Mark 36 can fire torpedoes of the Mark 44, Mark 46, Mark 50 (from the Mod 17 tubes onwards),[2] and Mark 54[citation needed] designs, and can be modified to use other torpedoes (such as when the Royal Australian Navy modified the Mark 32s aboard its Adelaide and Anzac class frigates to fire the MU90 Impact).[3] The tubes are designed to be fired remotely, but manual firing controls are fitted as a backup to all but the Spruance class destroyer's Mod 15 sets, as all aspects of the tubes' operation is controlled remotely.[2] The launch is powered by compressed air[2] in a rear flask, which also doubles as each tube's breech, and the torpedoes are fire-and-forget weapons.[citation needed]

The launcher can be made out of fibreglass, or with a fibreglass liner encased in metal.[2] The tubes were deisgned to be weatherproof and capable of storing torpedoes for long periods, but this is only practical with regular maintenance.[citation needed] Each triple-tube set weighs around 2,230 pounds (1,010 kg) unloaded, with variations between mods.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Jane's: SVTT Mk 32 (United States), Weapon handling and launching systems
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Friedman, Norman (2006). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems (5th ed.). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. pp. 754-5. 
  3. ^ Fish, Tim; Grevatt, Jon (24 June 2008). "Australia's HMAS Toowoomba test fires MU90 torpedo". Jane's Navy International (Jane's Information Group). 
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