Spearfish torpedo

Spearfish
TypeHeavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1992–present
Used byRoyal Navy
Production history
ManufacturerBAE Systems Underwater Systems
Produced1988–2003, 2020- present
No. built550 produced [citation needed]
Specifications
Mass1,850 kg (4,080 lb)
Length7 m (23 ft)
Diameter533 mm (21 in)

Maximum firing range30 nmi (56 km)[1][2]
WarheadAluminised PBX explosive
Warhead weight300 kg (660 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
Proximity or contact detonation

EngineSundstrand gas-turbine with pump-jet
PropellantHAP / Otto fuel II[2]
Maximum speed 80-knot (148 km/h)
Guidance
system
Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar
Launch
platform
submarine

The Spearfish torpedo (formally Naval Staff Target 7525) is the heavy torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It can be guided by wire or by autonomous active or passive sonar, and provides both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability. Spearfish development began in the 1970s, with production starting in 1988, and deployment in 1992. By 2004, the new weapon had completely replaced the older Tigerfish torpedo.

  1. ^ "SSBN Vanguard Class".
  2. ^ a b "Spearfish advanced heavyweight torpedo" (PDF). BAE Systems. December 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015.