Jump to content

Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Saberwyn (talk | contribs) at 04:39, 8 August 2015 (fix). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

A Mark 46 torpedo launching from the Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes set aboard USS Mustin
Personnel from USS Porter loading a recoverable training torpedo into the top tube of a Mark 32 launcher

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 is 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 32 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 the MU90 Impact aboard Royal Australian Navy frigates, or Royal Navy units using Sting Ray torpedoes).[3][4] The tubes are designed to be fired remotely, but manual firing controls are fitted as a backup to all but the Template:Sclass-'s Mod 15 sets, as all aspects of the tubes' operation are 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 from fibreglass, or with a fibreglass liner encased in metal.[2] The tubes were designed 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.
  4. ^ Chant, Chris (2005). Submarine Warfare Today: The World's Deadliest Underwater Systems. Leicester: Silverdale Books. p. 143. ISBN 1-84509-158-2.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes.
Stub icon

This article related to weaponry is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_32_surface_vessel_torpedo_tubes&oldid=675086208"