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and hydroxylammonium perchlorate as oxidiser. The addition of an oxidiser improves the specific energy of the fuel by reducing the fuel-richness of the Otto fuel. The
Spearfish, which are capable of travelling at 80 knots (150 km/h; 92 mph), were designed to catch high-speed, deep-diving
350:
In a typical engagement, Spearfish will run out wire-guided to the general vicinity of the target and then conduct a covert passive search. The high-capacity guide wire system, specifically designed to match the
Spearfish's manoeuvre and speed envelope, provides two-way data exchange between the
354:
Once at close range the
Spearfish uses active sonar to classify and home in on its target. High-power transmissions and sophisticated signal processing enable Spearfish to accurately discriminate targets from background noise and ensure high resistance to acoustic countermeasures and/or evasive
342:(for under-keel detonation against ships). A standoff detonation under the keel enhances blast effects against surface ships through the amplification of stress resulting from the interaction of the explosion's products and the flexible structure of the ship.
418:, a change to the fuel system to improve safety, full digitisation of the weapon and a new fibre optic guidance link to improve performance. The upgraded 'MOD 1' torpedoes will enter service between 2020 and 2024. In February 2021
735:
406:
In 2009, an upgrade programme began, leading to further sophisticated advances in
Spearfish's homing, warheads, tactical and fuelling systems, as well as an upgraded guidance link. This will last until 2019.
750:
543:
515:
Bellerby, John M.; Christopher S. Blackman (2004). "The
Interaction between Otto Fuel II and Aqueous Hydroxylammonium Perchlorate (HAP), Part I: Initial Observations and Time-to-Event Measurements".
425:
test fired 3 upgraded 'MOD 1' specification
Spearfish torpedoes as part of their final testing before entry into service with the Royal Navy, whilst Vanguard-class trials were carried out in 2024.
736:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/july/31/240731-vanguard-class-torpedo-trials?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1oVr58Mz0PDiUwZAUlWHlQ6mZ0vvK6C7MPGEZtsmWUdh-QyEI94TsO4iE_aem_P7axtgVMjPrswmKOv7nzOw
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enables the torpedo to make autonomous tactical decisions during the attack. It has a powerful blast warhead, triggered by either contact detonation (against a submarine hull) or an acoustic
714:
291:(ASuW) capability. Spearfish development began in the 1970s, with production starting in 1988, and deployment in 1992. By 2004, the new weapon had completely replaced the older
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Tactical software has been extensively refined through real-time, hardware in the loop simulations and demonstrated in more than 500 in-water trials and exercise firings.
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390:
The first
Spearfish were deployed in 1992, with deliveries completed in 2003; the number ordered has not been revealed. Spearfish torpedoes are stored and serviced at
358:
Should
Spearfish fail to hit the target on its first attack, it automatically selects an appropriate re-attack mode until it successfully concludes the engagement.
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On 15 December 2014, the
Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems a ÂŁ270 million contract to upgrade the Spearfish torpedo. The upgrade includes a new
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382:) in 1983, following a development programme lasting several years. Spearfish entered full production in 1988.
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torpedo and launch submarine, maximising the submarine's organic sensor and combat control capabilities.
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544:"Already faster than a cheetah, the Navy's two-tonne Spearfish torpedoes are getting an upgrade"
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Torpedo: The
Complete History of the World's Most Revolutionary Naval Weapon
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666:"ÂŁ270 million Royal Navy torpedo upgrade sustains hundreds of UK jobs"
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The production contract for the Spearfish Torpedo was placed with
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689:"Royal Navy Subs To Get Upgraded Spearfish Torpedo"
238:Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing
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263:(formally Naval Staff Target 7525) is the heavy
629:"Britain's 2009-2019 Torpedo Support Contract"
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497:. BAE Systems. December 2011. Archived from
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915:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1992
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648:"UK contracts Spearfish torpedo upgrade"
492:"Spearfish advanced heavyweight torpedo"
668:. Ministry of Defence. 15 December 2014
890:Cold War weapons of the United Kingdom
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517:Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics
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717:from the original on 6 February 2021
581:. Seaforth Publishing. p. 157.
900:Naval weapons of the United Kingdom
687:Chuter, Andrew (16 December 2014).
16:Royal Navy torpedo deployed in 1992
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646:Richard Scott (15 December 2014).
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281:autonomous active or passive sonar
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542:Tovey, Alan (16 December 2014).
895:Torpedoes of the United Kingdom
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713:. Royal Navy. 5 February 2021.
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603:"Spearfish heavyweight torpedo"
562:"Spearfish Heavyweight Torpedo"
186:Proximity or contact detonation
804:18-inch torpedo Mark V to XVII
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150:Maximum firing range
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91:BAE Systems Underwater Systems
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575:Branfill-Cook, Roger (2014).
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394:Ordnance Storage facility in
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124:1,850 kg (4,080 lb)
819:Bliss–Leavitt Mark 8 torpedo
809:21-inch torpedo Mark I to 24
378:Underwater Systems Ltd (now
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905:BAE Systems weapons systems
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303:The torpedo is driven by a
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707:"Spearfish Torpedo Trials"
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652:IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
440:DM2A4 heavyweight torpedo
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34:Heavyweight dual-purpose
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910:General Electric Company
153:30 nmi (56 km)
140:533 mm (21 in)
100:1988–2003, 2020- present
226:80-knot (148 km/h)
633:Defense Industry Daily
529:10.1002/prep.200400055
285:anti-submarine warfare
275:. It can be guided by
504:on 23 September 2015.
475:"SSBN Vanguard Class"
132:7 m (23 ft)
450:Varunastra (torpedo)
412:insensitive-munition
324:threats such as the
289:anti-surface warfare
283:, and provides both
829:18" Mark 30 torpedo
435:Black Shark torpedo
309:Hamilton Sundstrand
171:Warhead weight
313:gas turbine engine
82:Production history
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859:Sting Ray torpedo
854:Spearfish torpedo
849:Tigerfish torpedo
814:24.5-inch torpedo
799:Whitehead torpedo
751:Spearfish Torpedo
635:. 10 August 2009.
564:. 16 August 2017.
261:Spearfish torpedo
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317:Otto fuel II
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267:used by the
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215:Otto fuel II
87:Manufacturer
72:Used by
67:1992–present
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786:Royal Navy
672:15 December
380:BAE Systems
376:GEC-Marconi
108: built
884:Categories
869:See also:
721:6 February
461:References
386:Deployment
370:Production
326:Alfa-class
287:(ASW) and
273:Royal Navy
269:submarines
210:Propellant
200:Sundstrand
180:Detonation
162:Aluminised
76:Royal Navy
25:Spearfish
788:torpedoes
420:HMS
329:submarine
295:torpedo.
293:Tigerfish
253:submarine
182:mechanism
715:Archived
607:Products
429:See also
346:Guidance
305:pump-jet
249:platform
232:Guidance
204:pump-jet
137:Diameter
97:Produced
402:Upgrade
362:Testing
311:21TP04
271:of the
265:torpedo
158:Warhead
43:torpedo
613:5 June
585:
422:Talent
322:Soviet
315:using
299:Design
279:or by
247:Launch
234:system
213:HAP /
196:Engine
129:Length
502:(PDF)
495:(PDF)
392:Beith
240:sonar
723:2021
674:2014
615:2015
583:ISBN
277:wire
259:The
121:Mass
40:ASuW
38:and
31:Type
525:doi
416:TDW
106:No.
36:ASW
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