Everything about Mk 48 totally explained
The
Mark 48 and its improved ADCAP (
Advanced
Capability) variant are heavyweight submarine launched torpedoes. They were designed to sink fast, deep-diving
nuclear-powered submarines and high-performance surface ships.
History
The Mk-48 torpedo was designed in the end of the 1960s to keep up with the advances in Soviet submarine technology. Operational since 1972, it replaced the
Mk-37 and
Mk-14 torpedoes as the principal weapon of US Navy submarines . With the entry into service of the new Soviet
Alfa class submarine in 1979, the decision was made to accelerate the ADCAP program, which would bring significant modifications to the torpedo. Tests were run to ensure that the weapon could keep on with the developments and the weapon was modified with improved acoustics and electronics. The new version of the weapon, also known as Mk-48 Mod 4, was extensively tested and production started in 1985, with entry into service in 1988. From then on, various upgrades have been added to the torpedo, of which the current version is the Mk-48 Mod 6. As of 2007, the inventory of the
US Navy includes 1046 torpedoes
Deployment
The Mk-48
torpedo is designed to be launched from submarine torpedo tubes. It is carried by all
U.S. Navy submarines, including
Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and
Seawolf,
Los Angeles and
Virginia class
attack submarines. It is also used on
Canadian,
Australian and
Dutch submarines. The
Royal Navy's current heavyweight submarine launched torpedo is the
Spearfish.
Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes can be guided from a submarine by
wires attached to the torpedo. They can also use their own active or
passive sensors to execute programmed target searches, acquisition and attack procedures. The torpedoes are designed to
detonate under the
keel of a surface ship, breaking the ship's back and destroying its structural integrity. In the event of a miss, both can circle back for another attempt.
General characteristics (Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP)
