| Mark 45 torpedo | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Nuclear antisubmarine torpedo[1] |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 1959–1976 |
| Used By: | United States Navy |
| Designer: | Applied Research Laboratory, University of Washington Westinghouse Electric |
| Design Date: | 1957 |
| Manufacturer: | Westinghouse Electric |
| Production Date: | 1959 |
| Number: | 600 |
| Variants: | Mark 45 Mod 1 Mark 45 Mod 2 |
| Weight: | 2400lb |
| Length: | 227inches |
| Diameter: | 19inches |
| Filling: | W34 nuclear warhead |
| Yield: | 11 kilotons |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Vehicle Range: | 5–8 miles (8–13 km) |
| Speed: | 40 knots |
| Guidance: | Gyroscope and wire |
| Launch Platform: | Submarines |
The Mark 45 anti-submarine torpedo, a.k.a. ASTOR, was a submarine-launched wire-guided nuclear torpedo designed by the United States Navy for use against high-speed, deep-diving, enemy submarines. This was one of several weapons recommended for implementation by Project Nobska, a 1956 summer study on submarine warfare.[2] The 19inches-diameter torpedo was fitted with a W34 nuclear warhead. The need to maintain direct control over the warhead meant that a wire connection had to be maintained between the torpedo and submarine until detonation. Wire guidance systems were piggybacked onto this cable, and the torpedo had no homing capability. The design was completed in 1960, and 600 torpedoes were built between 1963 and 1976, when ASTOR was replaced by the Mark 48 torpedo.
This electrically propelled, 19inches-diameter torpedo was long and weighed .[3] [4] The W34 nuclear warhead used in ASTOR had an explosive yield of 11 kilotons. The requirement for positive control of nuclear warheads meant that ASTOR could only be detonated by a deliberate signal from the firing submarine, which necessitated a wire link. Because of this, the torpedo was only fitted with wire guidance systems (transmitted over the same link), and had no homing capability. The torpedo had a range of 5to.[4] By replacing the nuclear warhead and removing the wire guidance systems, the torpedo could be reconfigured for unguided launch against surface targets.[3]
Production of ASTOR began in 1959 and it entered service soon after.[1] [5] Approximately 600 torpedoes were built by 1976, when the torpedo was replaced by the Mark 48 torpedo. The ASTORs were collected, fitted with conventional warheads and wake homing guidance systems, then sold to foreign navies as the Mark 45 Mod 1 Freedom Torpedo.[4]