Spearfish torpedo
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The Spearfish torpedo is the heavy Acoustic homing torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It provides both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW) capability, replacing the Tigerfish torpedo which was withdrawn in 2004.
The significantly higher speed of the Spearfish was intended to catch high-speed Soviet threats such as the Alfa class submarine.
The contract for the Spearfish Torpedo was placed with GEC-Marconi Naval Systems (now BAE Systems) in 1994. Spearfish entered full production in 1995, with deliveries completed in 2003. The quantity ordered remains classified.
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General characteristics
- Manufacturer: BAE Systems Underwater Systems
- Speed: 81 knots (150 km/h) at high speed setting
- Range: 54 km (30 nautical miles) at low speed, 23 km (12.5 nautical miles) at high speed
- Length: 7 m (23 ft)
- Diameter: 533 mm (21 in)
- Weight: 1850 kg (4075 lb)
- Warhead: 300 kg (660 lb) directed energy
- Power plant: Sundstrand gas-turbine
- Fuel: Otto fuel II
- Guidance system: Wire guided with active terminal homing sonar
- First deployed: 1992