Mark 43 torpedo

The 10" Mark 43 torpedo was the first and smallest of the United States Navy light-weight anti-submarine torpedoes. This electrically propelled 10-inch (25-cm) torpedo was 92 inches (2.3 m) long and weighed 265 pounds (120 kg).[2] Described as "a submersible guided missile",[3] the torpedo was designed for air or surface launch. The Mod 0 configuration was designed for launch from helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft, and the Mod 1 configuration was for helicopters only. Both were electrically driven and deep-diving, but had relatively short range. They were classified as obsolete in the 1960s.[2]

Mark 43 torpedo
Mark 43 torpedo mounted on an AD Skyraider
TypeAntisubmarine torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1951–57[1]
Used byUnited States Navy
Royal Navy
Production history
DesignerBrush Development Company[1]
Naval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena
Designed1950[1]
ManufacturerBrush Electronics Company[1]
Produced1951–59
No. built5000[1]
VariantsMark 43 Mod 1[1]
Mark 43 Mod 3[1]
Specifications
Mass265 pounds (Mod 3)[1]
Length91.5 inches[1]
Diameter10 inches[1]

Effective firing range4500 yards (Mod 3)[1]
(6-minute search duration)
WarheadMk 100, HBX (Mod 3)[1]
Warhead weight54 pounds (Mod 3)[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Mk 19 Mod 13 contact exploder[1]

EngineElectric[1]
Maximum speed 21 knots (Mod 3)[1]
Guidance
system
Helix search[1]
Launch
platform
Helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and surface ships[1]

The Royal Navy purchased fifty examples of the Mark 43 in favour of an improved version of their 18 inch Mark 30 "Dealer B"

See also

References

Citations

  1. Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk43". Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  2. Kurak 1966, p. 145.
  3. "Navy Builds Deadlier Anti-Sub Torpedo". Sarasota Journal. Lindsay Newspapers. January 16, 1958. p. 17.

Bibliography

  • Kurak, Steve (September 1966). "The U. S. Navy's Torpedo Inventory". United States Naval Institute Proceedings. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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