Mark-48-Torpedo

Suspected: 55 knots (102 km / h)

Suspected: 32 km at 55 knots ADCAP: 38 km at 55 knots ADCAP: 50 km at 40 knots

Suspected: 1000 meters

The Mark 48 ( Mk 48 short ) is a heavyweight torpedo, which is used in the United States Navy and the Canadian, Australian and Dutch navies. It can be launched only from submarines.

Versions

Overall, the U.S. Navy has 1046 Mk 48 ADCAP, the Australian navy reportedly 20

Over time, the Mark 48 was improved several times, so that there are the following versions:

Mark 48

The development of the Mark 48 began in 1957 with feasibility studies, in 1960, the argument was made. At this time, the torpedo should still both below as well as water based, the latter request is soon deleted. His use of maturity finally gained the diameter 533 mm thick and 5.79 m long torpedo in 1972. Test firings were performed among others in the polar region, which places high demands on the sonar system by the rubbing of the pack ice.

The torpedo is used a nozzle ring propeller, which is moved by a piston engine. With this system, the Mark 48 reached speeds of up to 55 knots at ranges of estimated 35,000 yards (32 km). 2 is used in this case gasoline, which contains the necessary for its combustion oxidant already.

The cost for the standard version amounted to U.S. $ 2.3 million per unit well. It brings good 1545.3 kg on the scales.

Mark 48 mod.5 ( ADCAP )

The ADCAP version of the Mark 48 ( ADCAP = Advanced Capability, dt: Improved skills ) was delivered to the U.S. Navy from 1989. This especially effective against surface units has been improved, also the torpedo can now detect and bypass countermeasures better and the distance that is necessary for apprehending a target has been increased. On board the submarine, the time was reduced, which is needed to warm up the torpedo.

The first launch by a ADCAP on July 23, 1988, when the USS Norfolk ( SSN -714 ) sank the decommissioned destroyer USS Jonas Ingram (DD -938 ).

The ADCAP is manufactured by Raytheon.

Mark 48 Mod.6 ( MODS ADCAP )

Torpedoes (from 1995) after the MODS ADCAP standard contains two hardware upgrades that G & C MOD ( Guidance and Control, Goal Seek and Control ) and the MOD TPU (Torpedo Propulsion Upgrade Torpedo drive upgrade). In the G & C MOD homing systems were brought up to date. The sonar systems were replaced, also the torpedo got more memory and more processing power. The TPU MOD improves the drive system in unspecified manner explained. The maximum range of a ADCAP to more than 40,000 yards lie (about 37 km).

The cost of a ADCAP unit should be at about 3.5 million U.S. dollars, the weight of a torpedo increased to 1662.75 kg.

The MODS ADCAP is manufactured by Northrop Grumman.

Mark 48 Mod.7 ( CBASS )

The development of CBASS version (Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System, dt as: Improved broadband sonar system) began from 1998, from 2002 it was put into service. They improved with new control and instrumentation especially the performance in shallow coastal waters, with new generations of very quiet diesel-electric submarines and improved countermeasures. For the first time a CBASS torpedo was used during the 2008 RIMPAC exercise, as the Australian submarine HMAS Waller (SSG 75) the U.S. destroyer USS Fletcher ( DD -992 ) sunk.

Use

The torpedo was put into service in 1972. It is carried by submarines of the class Ohio, Los Angeles, Seawolf and Virginia. The Mark 48 can be used against both under- as well as against surface targets, which he detonates below the keel of the target and the ship lifts by the resulting pressure wave in the air, the keel breaks, even as a short time later the actual explosion, the target meets.

The torpedoes are wire- controlled, that is, they draw a thin wire behind them, through which the operator can influence aboard the submarine switching onto a target. As sonar system has the torpedo both active and passive sonar on board, which is connected with objective approach to Active. The Mark 48 is capable of programmed search pattern expire, as they can turn to a miss to attack the target another time. The ADCAP version is returned; able data on their target sensors to the electronic combat system BSY -1 of the U.S. boats, type 688 (I)