Mark 39 torpedo

Mark 39 torpedo
Type	Homing torpedo[1]
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1946-1956[1]
Used by	United States Navy
Production history
Designer	Vitro Corporation[1] Ordnance Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University
Designed	1946[1]
Manufacturer	Philco[1]
Specifications
Weight	1725 pounds[1]
Length	133 inches[1]
Diameter	19 inches[1]
Effective firing range	1300 yards[1] (26-minute search duration)
Warhead	Mk 39 Mod 0, HBX[1]
Warhead weight	130 pounds[1]
Detonation mechanism	Mk 19 Mod 10 contact exploder[1]
Engine	Electric[1]
Speed	15.5 knots[1]
Guidance system	Wire[1]
Launch platform	Submarines[1]

The Mark 39 torpedo was the first homing torpedo in United States Navy service to use a trailing wire for mid-course guidance through the submarine's fire control system. The Mark 39 was actually a Mark 27 Mod 4 torpedo converted for development of wire guidance techniques, which were eventually incorporated into the Mark 37 Mod 1 and the Mark 45. Due to this development, the Mark 39 was considered obsolete and the remaining inventory was scrapped.^[1]

References

1. Jolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mine Mk39". Retrieved 21 June 2013.