Function: Self-propelled guided projectile that operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target.





Description: Torpedoes may be launched from submarines, surface ships, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. They are also used as parts of other weapons; the Mark 46 torpedo becomes the warhead section of the ASROC (Anti-Submarine ROCket) and the Captor mine uses a submerged sensor platform that releases a torpedo when a hostile contact is detected. The three major torpedoes in the Navy inventory are the Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo, the Mark 46 lightweight and the Mark 50 advanced lightweight.



The MK-48 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and high performance surface ships. It is carried by all Navy submarines. The improved version, MK-48 ADCAP, is carried by attack submarines, the Ohio class ballistic missile submarines and will be carried by the Seawolf class attack submarines. The MK-48 replaced both the MK-37 and MK-14 torpedoes. The MK-48 has been operational in the U.S. Navy since 1972. MK-48 ADCAP became operational in 1988 and was approved for full production in 1989.



The MK-46 torpedo is designed to attack high performance submarines, and is presently identified as the NATO standard. The MK-46 Mod 5 torpedo is the backbone of the Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory and is expected to remain in service until the year 2015.



The MK-50 is an advanced lightweight torpedo for use against the faster, deeper-diving and more sophisticated submarines. The MK-50 can be launched from all ASW aircraft, and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant ships. The MK-50 will eventually replace the MK-46 as the fleet's lightweight torpedo.



MK-48 and MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes can operate with or without wire guidance and use active and/or passive homing. When launched they execute programmed target search, acquisition and attack procedures. Both can conduct multiple reattacks if they miss the target. The MK-46 torpedo is designed to be launched from surface combatant torpedo tubes, ASROC missiles and fixed and rotary wing aircraft. 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).





General Characteristics, MK-48, MK-48 (ADCAP)





Primary Function:

Heavyweight torpedo for submarines





Contractor:

Gould





Power Plant:

Piston engine; pump jet





Length:

19 feet (5.79 meters)





Weight:

MK-48: 3,434 pounds (1545.3 kilograms)



MK-48 ADCAP: 3,695 pounds (1662.75 kilograms)





Diameter:

21 inches (53.34 centimeters)







Range:

Greater than 5 miles (8 km)





Depth:

Greater than 1,200 feet (365.76 meters)





Speed:

Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)





Guidance System:

Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing





Warhead:

650 lbs (292.5 kg) high explosive





Date Deployed:

1972









General Characteristics, MK-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) fueled





Length:

102.36 in. tube launch configuration (from ship)





Weight:

517.65 lbs (warshot configuration)





Diameter:

12.75 inches





Range:

8,000 yards







Depth:

Greater than 1,200 feet (365.76 meters)





Speed:

Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)





Guidance System:

Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing





Launch/Search Mode:

Snake or circle search





Warhead:

98 lbs. of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)





Date Deployed:

1966 (Mod 0)

1979 (Mod 5)









General Characteristics, MK-50



Primary Function:

Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo





Contractor:

Alliant Techsystems, Westinghouse





Power Plant:

Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System





Length:

112 inches





Weight:

750 pounds







Diameter:

12.75 inches





Speed:

40+ knots





Guidance System:

Active/passive acoustic homing





Warhead:

Approximately 100 pounds high explosive (shaped charge)