• Self-propelled guided projectile that operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target.
• May be launched from submarines, surface ships, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
• Also used as parts of other weapons; the Mark 46 torpedo becomes the warhead section of the ASROC (Anti-Submarine ROCket) and the Captor mine uses a submerged sensor platform that releases a torpedo when a hostile contact is detected.
• The three major torpedoes in the Navy inventory are the Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo, the Mark 46 lightweight and the Mark 50 advanced lightweight.

• The MK-48 is designed to combat fast, deep-diving nuclear submarines and high performance surface ships.
• Carried by all Navy submarines.
• The improved version, MK-48 ADCAP, is carried by attack submarines, the Ohio class ballistic missile submarines and will be carried by the Seawolf class attack submarines.
• The MK-48 replaced both the MK-37 and MK-14 torpedoes.
• Operational in the U.S. Navy since 1972. MK-48 ADCAP became operational in 1988 and was approved for full production in 1989.
  
  
• The MK-46 torpedo is designed to attack high performance submarines, and is presently identified as the NATO standard.
• The MK-46 Mod 5 torpedo is the backbone of the Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory and is expected to remain in service until the year 2015.
  
  
• The MK-50 is an advanced lightweight torpedo for use against the faster, deeper-diving and more sophisticated submarines.
• The MK-50 can be launched from all ASW aircraft, and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant ships.
• The MK-50 will eventually replace the MK-46 as the fleet's lightweight torpedo.
  
  
• MK-48 and MK-48 ADCAP torpedoes can operate with or without wire guidance and use active and/or passive homing.
• When launched they execute programmed target search, acquisition and attack procedures.
• Both can conduct multiple reattacks if they miss the target.
• The MK-46 torpedo is designed to be launched from surface combatant torpedo tubes, ASROC missiles and fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

General Characteristics, MK-48

• Primary Function: Heavyweight torpedo for submarines.
• Power Plant: Piston engine; pump jet.
• Length: 19 feet (5.79 meters).
• Weight: 3,434 lbs (1545.3 kg) (MK-48); 3,695 lbs (1662.75 kg) (MK-48 ADCAP).
• Diameter: 21 inches (53.34 centimeters).
• Range: Greater than 5 miles (8 km).
• Depth: Greater than 1,200 ft (365.76 meters).
• Speed: Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph).
• Guidance System: Wire guided and passive/active acoustic homing.
• Warhead: 650 lbs (292.5 kg) high explosive.
• Date Deployed: 1972
  

General Characteristics, MK-46 MOD 5

• Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo.
• Power Plant: Two-speed, reciprocating external combustion; Mono-propellant (Otto fuel II) fueled.
• Length: 102.36 in. tube launch configuration (from ship).
• Weight: 517.65 lbs (warshot configuration).
• Diameter: 12.75 inches.
• Range: 8,000 yards.
• Depth: Greater than 1,200 ft (365.76 meters).
• Speed: Greater than 28 knots (32.2 mph, 51.52 kph).
• Guidance System: Homing mode: Active or passive/active acoustic homing.
• Launch/search mode: Snake or circle search.
• Warhead: 98 lbs. of PBXN-103 high explosive (bulk charge).
• Date Deployed: 1966 (Mod 0); 1979 (Mod 5)
  

General Characteristics, MK-50

• Primary Function: Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo.
• Power Plant: Stored Chemical Energy Propulsion System.
• Length: 112 inches.
• Weight: 750 pounds.
• Diameter: 12.75 inches.
• Speed: 40+ knots.
• Guidance System: Active/passive acoustic homing.
• Warhead: Approximately 100 pounds high explosive (shaped charge).