Mark 44 torpedo

Mark 44 torpedo
A Japanese built Mk44 torpedo at the Kanoya Air Base Museum, Japan
TypeAntisubmarine torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1957-1967[1]
(with United States Navy)
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerNaval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena[1]
General Electric
Designed1953[1]
ManufacturerGeneral Electric[1]
Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park
American Machine and Foundry
VariantsMark 44 Mod 1[1]
Specifications
Mass432 pounds (196 kg)
Length8.2 feet (2.5 m)
Diameter12.75 inches (32.4 cm)

Muzzle velocity123 metres per second (400 ft/s)
Effective firing range123 metres (135 yd)
WarheadMk 101 Mod 0, HBX-3[1]
Warhead weight75 pounds (34 kg)
Detonation
mechanism
Mk 19 type Mod 12 contact exploder[1]

EngineElectric[1]
30 horsepower (22 kW)
Operational
range
3.4 miles (5.5 km)
Maximum depth1,000 yards (910 m)
Maximum speed 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Guidance
system
Helix search[1]
Launch
platform
Destroyers and aircraft[1]

The Mark 44 torpedo is a now-obsolete air-launched and ship-launched lightweight torpedo manufactured in the United States, and under licence in Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, with 10,500 being produced for U.S. service. It was superseded by the Mark 46 torpedo, beginning in the late 1960s. The Royal Australian Navy, however, continued to use it alongside its successor for a number of years, because the Mark 44 was thought to have superior performance in certain shallow-water conditions.

It has been deployed by many navies and air forces including the USN, Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Air Force from various launch vehicles. These include long-range maritime patrol aircraft, e.g. P-3 Orion, RAF Nimrod, Canadair Argus, LAMPS and other embarked naval helicopters, ASROC missiles, Ikara missiles.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk44". Retrieved 24 June 2013.