| Mark 32 torpedo tubes | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Torpedo tube |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Is Missile: | yes |
| Service: | 1960–present |
| Used By: | United States Navy |
| Wars: | Cold War |
| Manufacturer: | Ordnance Technology Service[1] |
| Variants: | Mod 5 Mod 7 Mod 9 Mod 11 Mod 14 Mod 15 Mod 17 Mod 19 |
| Launch Platform: | Surface vessel |
Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (Mk 32 SVTT) is a torpedo launching system designed for the United States Navy.[2]
The Mark 32 has been the standard anti-submarine torpedo launching system aboard United States Navy surface vessels since its introduction[3] in 1960, and is in use aboard the warships of several other navies.
During the FRAM Program,, and destroyers were modernized and fitted with two Mark 32 torpedo tubes on each side of their midship. The torpedo tubes' service extended to multiple other countries such as Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Egypt and many more due to the fact that decommissioned American ships were bought or transferred over to them throughout the years, notably s.
Japan uses the HOS-301 torpedo tubes which are redesignated version of the Mark 32.
Most versions (referred to as modifications or mods) are triple-tube sets that can be rotated or trained to face a target.[3] The exception is the Mod 9 sets, which only have two tubes and are fixed in position.[3] The Mark 32 can fire 12.75inches torpedoes of the Mark 44, Mark 46, Mark 50 (from the Mod 17 tubes onwards),[3] [4] and Mark 54 designs, and can be modified to use other torpedoes (such as the MU90 Impact aboard Royal Australian Navy frigates, or Royal Navy units using Sting Ray torpedoes).[5] [6] The tubes are designed to be fired remotely, but manual firing controls are fitted as a backup to all but the s Mod 15 sets, as all aspects of the tubes' operation are controlled remotely.[3] The launch is powered by compressed air[3] in a rear flask, which doubles as each tube's breech, and the torpedoes are fire-and-forget weapons.
The launcher can be made from fibreglass, or with a fibreglass liner encased in metal.[3] The tubes were designed to be weatherproof and capable of storing torpedoes for long periods, but this is only practical with regular maintenance. Each triple-tube set weighs around unloaded, with variations between mods.[3]