High-Altitude Torpedo Launch

The Navy has awarded LockMart a contract to demonstrate the release
of Mk-54 torpedoes from high altitudes and long standoff ranges. See:

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Navy...apability.html

The article mentions the possible future use of Mk-54 against surface
targets with this system, but would the Mk-54 (which has the Mk-46's
96lb warhead, and no under-the-keel detonation capability) really be
useful in that role?

Or is the Navy really worried about Sub-launched SAM's?

On 14 Jun 2006 14:06:20 -0700, wrote:

The Navy has awarded LockMart a contract to demonstrate the release
of Mk-54 torpedoes from high altitudes and long standoff ranges. See:

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Navy...apability.html

The article mentions the possible future use of Mk-54 against surface
targets with this system, but would the Mk-54 (which has the Mk-46's
96lb warhead, and no under-the-keel detonation capability) really be
useful in that role?

Or is the Navy really worried about Sub-launched SAM's?

The answer to both questions is probably "yes."

Bill Kambic
Haras Lucero, Kingston, TN
Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão

wrote:
The Navy has awarded LockMart a contract to demonstrate the release
of Mk-54 torpedoes from high altitudes and long standoff ranges. See:

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Navy...apability.html

The article mentions the possible future use of Mk-54 against surface
targets with this system, but would the Mk-54 (which has the Mk-46's
96lb warhead, and no under-the-keel detonation capability) really be
useful in that role?

Or is the Navy really worried about Sub-launched SAM's?

Just picking nits here, but I thought that Mk. 54 had the Mk. 50's
100lb shaped-charge warhead on the Mk. 46 propulsion system, not just
the Mk. 50 seeker. I could be wrong, though.

In any case, the question of how useful it would be against surface
targets is still valid. It'd wreck an FAC, and probably glug most
corvettes, too. Against anything much bigger, though, I'm somewhat
skeptical. Better than nothing, sure, but not as good as Harpoon or
Penguin. The advantage might be reduced chances of intercept (UDAV-1 is
the only deployed active anti-torpedo system that I know of, and it's
pretty suspect), and possibly the ability to attack surface targets
from platforms that can't fire Harpoon or Penguin. I suppose this might
give VLASROC a surface mode, too, but that's not too useful in any
case, since all the VLASROC platforms carry SM-2 anyway.

In article .com,
"Kronoman" wrote:

....

Just picking nits here, but I thought that Mk. 54 had the Mk. 50's
100lb shaped-charge warhead on the Mk. 46 propulsion system, not just
the Mk. 50 seeker. I could be wrong, though.

That's both my recall and what Wikipedia says

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Ralph E Lindberg wrote:
In article .com,
"Kronoman" wrote:

...

Just picking nits here, but I thought that Mk. 54 had the Mk. 50's
100lb shaped-charge warhead on the Mk. 46 propulsion system, not just
the Mk. 50 seeker. I could be wrong, though.

That's both my recall and what Wikipedia says

--
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Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

If you go to:

http://www.house.gov/hasc/testimony/...n-amerault.htm

and scroll down to the "Mine and Undersea Warfare" section, you'll get
to this part:

"The MK54 torpedo integrates the proven technologies of the MK46
propulsion system and warhead with the MK50 sonar. State-of-the-art
digital signal processing based on COTS technology will improve
effectiveness and maintainability, and reduce costs. Due to arrive to
the fleet in 2003, the MK54 will replace the older MK46 torpedo with a
far superior, upgradable ASW weapon capable of countering all threats. "

Here's another article on the system that includes an image:

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles...r+torpedo.html

Note that similar technology might also be used to drop mines and
sonobuoys.

While a stand-off mine laying capability might be useful for avoiding
harbor defenses, how useful would
a stand-off sonobuoy dispensing system be?

wrote:

Here's another article on the system that includes an image:

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles...r+torpedo.html

Note that similar technology might also be used to drop mines and
sonobuoys.

While a stand-off mine laying capability might be useful for avoiding
harbor defenses, how useful would a stand-off sonobuoy dispensing system be?

A stand off sonobouy dispenser might allow you to spread a wider
pattern faster. Or it might just the manufacturer/marketdroids
drumming up business.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

In article ,
(Derek Lyons) wrote:

....

A stand off sonobouy dispenser might allow you to spread a wider
pattern faster. Or it might just the manufacturer/marketdroids
drumming up business.

Bingo, we have a winner

You will note that the firm pumping this is not Raytheon (ie the firm
that builds MK54's)

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Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
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wrote in message
oups.com...
Here's another article on the system that includes an image:

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles...r+torpedo.html

Note that similar technology might also be used to drop mines and
sonobuoys.

While a stand-off mine laying capability might be useful for avoiding
harbor defenses, how useful would
a stand-off sonobuoy dispensing system be?


If you could use it from a warship it could be invaluable.

Keith



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