Mark 34 torpedo

The Mark 34 torpedo (initially Mine Mk 44, technically Mk 34 mod 1) was a United States 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.^[2] 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.

Mark 34 torpedo
Mark 34 torpedo at Kanoya Museum, Japan
Type	Acoustic torpedo[1]
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1948-1958[1]
Used by	United States Navy
Production history
Designer	Naval Mine Warfare Test Station[1]
Designed	1944[1]
Manufacturer	American Machine and Foundry Naval Ordnance Station Forest Park Naval Mine Depot
Produced	1948-1954[1]
No. built	4050[1]
Specifications
Mass	1150 pounds[1]
Length	125 inches[1]
Diameter	19 inches[1] (26.4 inches across fins)
Effective firing range	3600-12,000 yards[1]
Warhead	Mk 34 Mod 1, HBX[1]
Warhead weight	116 pounds[1]
Detonation mechanism	Mk 19 Mod 7 contact exploder[1]
Engine	Electric[1]
Maximum speed	11-17 knots[1] (6-30 minutes search duration)
Guidance system	Random search circles[1]
Launch platform	Antisubmarine aircraft[1]

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 in (320 cm)
• Diameter : 19 in (48 cm)
• Fin span : 26.4 in (67 cm)
• Weight : 1,150 lb (520 kg)
• Warhead : 116 lb (53 kg) HBX
• Speed :
  • 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) (search mode)
  • 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) (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)