Mark 46
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Lynx_mk46.jpg
Lynx_mk46.jpg
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 Mk 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, 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)
- Length: 2.6 m (102.36 in) tube launch configuration (from ship)
- Weight: 234.8 kg (517.65 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 (32.2 mi/h, 51.8 km/h)
- Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing
- Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
- Warhead: 44.45 kg (98 lb) of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
- Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)