Mark 34 torpedo

Mark 34 torpedo
300px Mark 34 torpedo at Kanoya Museum, Japan
Type	Acoustic torpedo
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1948-1958
Used by	United States Navy
Production history
Designer	Naval Mine Warfare Test Station
Designed	1944
Manufacturer	American Machine and Foundry Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park Naval Mine Depot
Produced	1948-1954
Number built	4050
Specifications
Weight	1150 pounds
Length	125 inches
Diameter	19 inches (26.4 inches across fins)
Effective firing range	3600-12,000 yards
Warhead	Mk 34 Mod 1, HBX
Warhead weight	116 pounds
Detonation mechanism	Mk 19 Mod 7 contact exploder
Engine	Electric
Speed	11-17 knots (6-30 minutes search duration)
Guidance system	Random search circles
Launch platform	Antisubmarine aircraft

The Mark 34 torpedo (initially Mine Mk 44, technically Mk 34 mod 1) was a U.S. 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. 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

• Length : 125 inches
• Diameter : 19 inches
• Fin span : 26.4 inches
• Weight : 1,150 lb
• Warhead : 116 lb HBX
• Speed :
  • 11 knots (search mode)
  • 17 knots (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)