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Mark 34 torpedo

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Mark 34 torpedo
Mark 34 torpedo at Kanoya Museum, Japan
TypeAcoustic torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1948-1958[1]
Used byUnited States Navy
Production history
DesignerNaval Mine Warfare Test Station[1]
Designed1944[1]
ManufacturerAmerican Machine and Foundry
Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park
Naval Mine Depot
Produced1948-1954[1]
No. built4050[1]
Specifications
Mass1150 pounds[1]
Length125 inches[1]
Diameter19 inches[1]
(26.4 inches across fins)
Effective firing range3600-12,000 yards[1]
WarheadMk 34 Mod 1, HBX[1]
Warhead weight116 pounds[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Mk 19 Mod 7 contact exploder[1]
EngineElectric[1]
Maximum speed 11-17 knots[1]
(6-30 minutes search duration)
Guidance
system
Random search circles[1]
Launch
platform
Antisubmarine aircraft[1]

The Mark 34 torpedo (initially Mine Mk 44, technically Mk 34 mod 1) was a United States torpedo developed that entered service in 1948. It was an improved version of the Mark 24 FIDO passive acoustic homing torpedo developed during World War II for launch from fixed-wing aircraft.[2] The principal differences from the Mark 24 were the use of two propulsion batteries, which could be used in parallel while the torpedo was searching for a target to provide greater endurance and in series to provide greater speed in attack mode.

Approximately 4,050 were produced between 1948 and 1954 before production was ceased. The torpedo was replaced in U.S. service with the Mark 43 torpedo around 1958.

Specifications

[edit]
  • Length : 125 in (320 cm)
  • Diameter : 19 in (48 cm)
  • Fin span : 26.4 in (67 cm)
  • Weight : 1,150 lb (520 kg)
  • Warhead : 116 lb (53 kg) HBX
  • Speed :
    • 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) (search mode)
    • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) (attack mode)
  • Range and endurance :
    • 30 minutes or 12,000 yards (11,000 m) at 11 knots (20 km/h)
    • 6 to 8 minutes or 3,600 yards (3,300 m) at 17 knots (31 km/h)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mine Mk34". Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  2. ^ Kurak, September 1966, p.145

References

[edit]
  • Kurak, Steve (September 1966). "The U. S. Navy's Torpedo Inventory". United States Naval Institute Proceedings. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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