Mark 48 torpedo
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The Mark 48 and its improved ADCAP (Advanced Capability) variant are heavyweight submarine launched torpedoes. They were designed to sink fast, deep-diving nuclear-powered submarines and high-performance surface ships.
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[edit] History
The Mk-48 torpedo was designed in the end of the 1960s to keep up with the advances in Soviet submarine technology. Operational since 1972, it replaced the Mk-37 and Mk-14 torpedoes as the principal weapon of US Navy submarines [1]. With the entry into service of the new Soviet Alfa class submarine in 1979, the decision was made to accelerate the ADCAP program, which would bring significant modifications to the torpedo. Tests were run to ensure that the weapon could keep on with the developments and the weapon was modified with improved acoustics and electronics. The new version of the weapon, also known as Mk-48 Mod 4, was extensively tested and production started in 1985, with entry into service in 1988. From then on, various upgrades have been added to the torpedo, of which the current version is the Mk-48 Mod 6. As of 2007, the inventory of the US Navy includes 1046 torpedoes [2]
[edit] Deployment
The Mk-48 torpedo is designed to be launched from submarine torpedo tubes. It is carried by all U.S. Navy submarines, including Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and Seawolf, Los Angeles and Virginia class attack submarines. It is also used on Canadian, Australian and Dutch submarines. The Royal Navy elected not to buy the Mark 48, preferring to use the Spearfish instead.
Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes can be guided from a submarine by wires attached to the torpedo. They can also use their own active or passive sensors to execute programmed target searches, acquisition and attack procedures. The torpedoes are designed to detonate under the keel of a surface ship, breaking the ship's back and destroying its structural integrity. In the event of a miss, both can circle back for another attempt.
[edit] General characteristics (Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP)
- Primary Function: Heavyweight torpedo for submarines
- Contractor:
- Original Mk-48: Gould
- Mk-48 ADCAP: Hughes Aircraft, now Raytheon
- Power Plant: Swash-plate piston engine; pump jet
- Length: 19 ft (5.79 m)
- Weight: 3,434 lb (1,558 kg) (Mk-48); 3,695 lb (1,676 kg) (Mk-48 ADCAP)
- Diameter: 21 in (533 mm)
- Range: 38 km at 55 kt, 50 km at 40 kt (estimated [2])
- Depth: 800 m (estimated [2])
- Speed: 55 kt (estimated [2])
- Guidance System: Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing
- Warhead: 650 lb (295 kg) high explosive (at short range, the torpedo's unused fuel adds to the destructive power of the warhead)
- Date Deployed: 1972 (Mk-48), 1988 (Mk-48 ADCAP)
The accurate performance data are classified. The United States Navy only states that the torpedo diving depth is "greater than 800 ft", the speed "greater than 28 kt" and the range "greater than 5 miles" [3].
[edit] Propulsion
The swash-plate piston engine is fueled by Otto fuel II, a monopropellant that decomposes into hot gas when ignited, which drives the engine. The thrust is generated by a propulsor assembly.
[edit] Sensors and improvements
The torpedo's seeker has an active electronically-steered "pinger" that helps avoid having to maneuver as it closes with the target. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the torpedoes' sensors can monitor surrounding electrical and magnetic fields. This may refer to the electromagnetic coils on the warhead (at least from 1977 to 1981), used to sense the metallic mass of the ship's hull and detonate at the proper stand-off distance.
According to various sources, continued improvement has been in progress. In the 1990s, a Mod 6 variant of the ADCAP has provided much improved noise isolation of the engine, which makes this torpedo more difficult to be detected by any potential target(s). In the early 2000s, upgrade design works (codename CBASS Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System) was started to improve shallow water target detection capability and counter-countermeasure capability.
