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Mark 46 torpedo

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A French Lynx helicopter carrying a mk46 torpedo

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. The Mark 46 Mod 5 is 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
  • Contractor: Alliant Techsystems
  • Power Plant: Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion; Mono-propellant (Otto fuel II)
  • Length: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) tube launch configuration (from ship)
  • Weight: 234.8 kg (517.6 lb) (warshot configuration)
  • Diameter: 32.4 cm (12.75 in)
  • Range: 7.3 km (8,000 yd)
  • Depth: > 365 m (1,200 ft)
  • Speed: > 28 knots (32 mi/h, 52 km/h)
  • Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing
  • Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
  • Warhead: 44.5 kg (98 lb) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
  • Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)
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