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Information About

Mark 46 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: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) tube launch configuration (from ship)

  • Weight: 517.6 lb (234.8 kg) (warshot configuration)

  • Diameter: 12.75 in (324 mm)

  • Range: 8,000 yd (7.3 km)

  • Depth: > 1,200 ft (365 m)

  • 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: 98 lb (44.5 kg) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)

  • Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)