Mark 21 torpedo
TypeAnti-surface ship torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In servicenever in service[1]
Production history
DesignerWestinghouse Electric Corporation[1]
Designed1943[1]
VariantsMark 21 Mod 2 torpedo
Specifications
Massapprox. 2,300 lb (1,000 kg)[1]
Length161 in (4.1 m)[1]
Diameter22.5 in (570 mm)[1]

WarheadHBX[1]
Warhead weight400 lb (180 kg)[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Mark 8 contact exploder[1]

EngineElectric[1]
Maximum speed 25 kn (29 mph; 46 km/h)[1]
Guidance
system
passive acoustic homing[1]
Launch
platform
Aircraft[1]

The Mark 21 torpedo, designated Mark 21 Mod 0 was a passive acoustic homing torpedo designed in 1943 by Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The Mark 21 successfully passed launching tests in 1943, however, due to difficulties encountered by Westinghouse, the project was abandoned after a few development models had been built.[1]

It was based on the widely used Mark 13 torpedo. Propulsion was switched to electric, but weight restrictions limited the speed available.

See also

  • Mark 21 Mod 2 torpedo, a similar but more successful project, with homing developed by Bell Labs, and using a steam turbine.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk21". Retrieved 18 June 2013.

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