Spearfish torpedo
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BAE_Spearfish_torpedo.JPG
BAE_Spearfish_torpedo.JPG
BAE Spearfish torpedo
The Spearfish torpedo is the heavy Acoustic homing torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It provides both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW) capability, replacing the Tigerfish torpedo which was withdrawn in 2004.
The significantly higher speed of the Spearfish was intended to catch high-speed Soviet threats such as the Alfa class submarine.
The contract for the Spearfish Torpedo was placed with GEC-Marconi Naval Systems (now BAE Systems) in 1994. Spearfish entered full production in 1995, with deliveries completed in 2003. The quantity ordered remains classified.
General Characteristics
- Manufacturer: BAE Systems Underwater Systems
- Speed: 81 knots at high speed setting
- Range: 54 kilometers (30 nautical miles) at low speed, 23 kilometers (12.5 nautical miles) at high speed
- Length: 7 meters (23 feet)
- Diameter: 533mm (21 inches)
- Weight: 1850 kilogram (4075 pounds)
- Warhead: 300 kilograms (660 pounds) directed energy
- Power Plant: Sundstrand gas-turbine
- Fuel: Otto fuel
- Guidance System: Wire guided with active terminal homing sonar
- First Deployed: 1992