Mark 17 torpedo
TypeAnti-surface ship torpedo[1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1944–1950[1]
Used byUnited States Navy
Production history
DesignerNaval Torpedo Station Newport
Naval Research Laboratory
Designed1940[1]
ManufacturerNaval Torpedo Station Newport
No. built450[1]
Specifications
Mass4600 pounds[1]
Length288 inches[1]
Diameter21 inches[1]
Effective firing range18,000 yards[1]
WarheadMk 17 Mod 3, HBX[1]
Warhead weight879.5 pounds[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Mk 6 Mod 1 contact exploder[1]
EngineTurbine[1]
Propellant"Navol", concentrated hydrogen peroxide
Maximum speed 46 knots[1]
Guidance
system
Gyroscope[1]
Launch
platform
Destroyers[1]

The Mark 17 torpedo was a long-range, high-speed torpedo developed by the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island and the Naval Research Laboratory in 1940. Development efforts on the Mark 17 were halted in 1941 in favor of producing Mark 13 and Mark 15 torpedoes during World War II. However, detailed knowledge of the Japanese Type 93 "Long Lance" oxygen torpedo became available around 1944 which led to the resumption of the development of the Mark 17. Although 450 units were manufactured before the war was over, none of these were used in combat. The use of this torpedo was discontinued in 1950 due to various reasons including the Mark 17's contribution to destroyer topside weights problems, similarity to the Mark 16,[1] and the declining utility of unguided torpedoes in the Cold War era.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedoes". Retrieved 4 July 2021.

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