During the design phase of Sterett and the Belknap class ships, it was envisioned that the ship would have two MK 25 torpedo tubes placed at a 45 degree angle and housed internal to the ship and exiting beneath the helicopter pad. These 21 inch diameter tubes would have carried the long range Mk 48 torpedoes. This concept was abandoned prior to Sterett's completion in 1967.
The shorter range Mk 46 torpedo was selected due to its lower weight. These were placed in two trainable MK 32 launchers. Each launcher carried three 12.75 inch Mk 46 torpedoes. The launchers were placed one on each side of the ship and forward of the quarterdeck on the weather deck. A torpedo shop was located on the starboard side of the helo hanger area.
The standard torpedo complement was augmented by the inclusion of ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) These were launched from the missile launcher forward and stowed on the magazine rings alongside the terrier missiles. The ASROC could throw a MK 46 torpedo approximately 7 miles. The launch was pure ballistic with the payload being detached at the end of the rocket burn and parachuted into the sea. ASROC could also launch a depth charge payload. During the cold war years, ASROC could be equipped for their torpedoes or depth charges to carry the one kiloton W44 nuclear warhead.
The MK-48 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear
submarines and high performance surface ships. It is carried by
all Navy submarines. The improved version, MK-48 ADCAP, is carried by attack submarines,
the Ohio class ballistic missile
submarines and will be carried by the Seawolf class attack submarines. The MK-48 replaced
both the MK-37 and MK-14
torpedoes. The MK-48 has been operational in the U.S. Navy since 1972. MK-48 ADCAP became
operational in 1988
and was approved for full production in 1989. Features: MK-48 and MK-48
ADCAP torpedoes can operate with or without wire guidance and use active and/or passive
homing. When launched they execute programmed target search, acquisition and attack
procedures. Both can conduct multiple re-attacks if they miss the target. The MK-46 torpedo
is designed to be launched from surface combatant torpedo tubes, ASROC missiles and fixed
and rotary wing aircraft. In 1989, a major upgrade program began to enhance the
performance of the MK-46 Mod 5 in shallow water. Weapons incorporating these improvements
are identified as Mod 5A and Mod 5A(S).
Contractor: Gould
Power Plant: Piston engine; pump jet
Length: 19 feet (5.79 meters)
Weight: 3,434 lbs (1545.3 kg) (MK-48); 3,695 lbs (1662.75 kg) (MK-48
ADCAP)
Diameter: 21 inches (53.34 centimeters)
Range: Greater than 5 miles (8 km)
Depth: Greater than 1,200 ft (365.76 meters)
Speed: Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)
Guidance System: Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing
Warhead: 650 lbs (292.5 kg) high explosive
Date Deployed: 1972
The MK-46 torpedo is designed to attack high performance submarines, and
is presently identified as the NATO standard.
The MK-46 Mod 5 torpedo is the backbone of the Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory
and is expected to remain in
service until the year 2015.
Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo
Contractor: Alliant Techsystems
Power Plant: Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion;
Mono-propellant (Otto fuel II) fueled
Length: 102.36 in. tube launch configuration (from ship)
Weight: 517.65 lbs (war-shot configuration)
Diameter: 12.75 inches
Range: 8,000 yards
Depth: Greater than 1,200 ft (365.76 meters)
Speed: Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph)
Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing
Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search
Warhead: 98 lbs. of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge)
Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)
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