| Spearfish | |
|---|---|
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems Underwater Systems |
| Produced | 1988–2003 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,850 kg (4,075 lb) |
| Length | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Diameter | 533 mm (21 in) |
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| Maximum range | 54 km (30 nm) at low speed 23 km (12.5 nm) at high speed |
| Warhead | Aluminised PBX explosive |
| Warhead weight | 300 kg (660 lb) |
| Detonation mechanism |
Proximity or contact detonation |
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| Engine | Sundstrand gas-turbine with Pump-jet |
| Propellant | HAP / Otto fuel II |
| Speed | 80 knots (150 km/h) (1994 version on short range setting) |
| Guidance system |
Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar |
The Spearfish torpedo (formally Naval Staff Target 7525) is the heavy acoustic homing torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It is a dual-purpose wire-guided weapon and 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anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW) capability, replacing the Tigerfish torpedo which was withdrawn in 2004.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, deep-diving Soviet threats such as the Alfa class submarine. The weapon is driven by a pump-jet coupled to a Hamilton Sundstrand 21TP04 gas turbine engine using Otto fuel II and hydroxyl ammonium perchlorate as oxidiser.
A microprocessor aboard the weapon provides the ability to make autonomous tactical decisions during the attack. The torpedo has a powerful blast warhead, triggered by either contact detonation (against a submarine hull) or an acoustic proximity fuze (for under-keel detonation against ships).
The production contract for the Spearfish Torpedo was placed with Marconi Underwater Systems Ltd (now BAE Systems) in 1983, following a development programme lasting for several years. Spearfish entered full production in 1988, with deliveries completed in 2003. The exact number of units ordered has not been revealed. Spearfish torpedoes are stored and serviced at Beith Ordnance Storage facility in North Ayrshire.
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