This article is about the U.S. WWII torpedo. For the British Cold-War torpedo, see British 21-inch torpedo.
Anti-surface ship torpedo
Mark 23 torpedo
Mark 14 torpedo side view and interior mechanisms; the Mark 14 and Mark 23 were physically identical and shared the same maintenance manual[2]
Type
Anti-surface ship torpedo[1]
Place of origin
United States
Service history
In service
1943–1946[1]
Used by
United States Navy
Wars
World War II
Production history
Designer
Naval Torpedo Station Newport
Designed
1943[1]
Manufacturer
Naval Torpedo Station Newport Naval Torpedo Station Keyport Naval Ordnance Plant St. Louis
No. built
9600[1]
Specifications
Mass
3,259 pounds[1]
Length
246 inches[1]
Diameter
21 inches[1]
Effective firing range
4,500 yards[1]
Warhead
Mk 16 Mod 6, HBX[1]
Warhead weight
643 pounds[1]
Detonation mechanism
Mk 6 Mod 13 contact exploder[1]
Engine
Turbine[1]
Maximum speed
46.3 knots[1]
Guidance system
Gyroscope[1]
Launch platform
Submarines[1]
The Mark 23 torpedo was a submarine-launched anti-surface ship torpedo designed and built by the Naval Torpedo Station for the United States Navy in World War II. It was essentially a Mark 14 torpedo, modified via the removal of its low-speed, long-range setting, leaving the high-speed, short-range feature in place.[2]
It was developed with the high-speed feature of the Mark 14 torpedo in mind, as earlier in the war, the low-speed feature of the Mark 14 was rarely used. However, during the latter stages of the war, fewer targets and better tactics necessitated firing from longer ranges and the Mark 14, with its low-speed, long-range feature, became the preferred weapon. Many of the Mark 23s were scrapped or converted to Mark 14s, while other units were cannibalized for spare parts.[1]
^ abcdefghijklmnopJolie, E.W. (15 September 1978). "A Brief History of US Navy Torpedo Development: Torpedo Mk23". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
^ abTorpedoes Mark 14 and 23 Types. United States Navy. 24 March 1945.
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