Spearfish torpedo
| Spearfish | |
|---|---|
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems Underwater Systems |
| Produced | 1988–2003 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,850 kg (4,075 lb) |
| Length | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Diameter | 533 mm (21 in) |
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| Maximum range | 54 km (30 nm) at low speed 23 km (12.5 nm) at high speed |
| Warhead | Aluminised PBX explosive |
| Warhead weight | 300 kg (660 lb) |
| Detonation mechanism |
Proximity or contact detonation |
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| Engine | Sundstrand gas-turbine with pump-jet |
| Propellant | HAP / Otto fuel II |
| Speed | 80 knots (150 km/h) (1994 version on short range setting) |
| Guidance system |
Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar |
The Spearfish torpedo (formally Naval Staff Target 7525) is the heavy torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It can be guided by wire or by autonomous active or passive sonar, and provides both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW) capability.
It replaces the unreliable Tigerfish torpedo, which was withdrawn in 2004; the significantly higher speed of the Spearfish was intended to catch high-speed, deep-diving Soviet threats such as the Alfa-class submarine.
Contents |
[edit] Design
The weapon is driven by a pump-jet coupled to a Hamilton Sundstrand 21TP04 gas turbine engine using Otto fuel II and hydroxyl ammonium perchlorate as oxidiser.
A microprocessor aboard the weapon provides the ability to make autonomous tactical decisions during the attack. The torpedo has a powerful blast warhead, triggered by either contact detonation (against a submarine hull) or an acoustic proximity fuze (for under-keel detonation against ships).
[edit] Production
The production contract for the Spearfish Torpedo was placed with GEC-Marconi Underwater Systems Ltd (now BAE Systems) in 1983, following a development programme lasting for several years.
[edit] Deployment
Spearfish entered full production in 1988, with deliveries completed in 2003; the number ordered has not been revealed. Spearfish torpedoes are stored and serviced at Beith Ordnance Storage facility in North Ayrshire.
[edit] See also
- Mark 48 torpedo
- DM2A4 heavyweight torpedo
- Fairey Spearfish, an unrelated 1940s torpedo bomber aircraft
- Yu-6 torpedo
