Heavy Weight Torpedoes on Surface Ships

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The Mk 48 torpedo was intended for use in both submarines and surface ships, in the latter for the ASW role. Twin Mk 25 tubes for Mk 48 torpedoes were fitted in guided missile frigates (DLG/DLGN) in their after deckhouse and in escort ships (DE/DEG) in their stern counters. This photo shows a Mk 48 being launched from the USS Talbot (DEG-4). Lockheed Shipbuilding; US Navy

Looking back a couple of years, The War Zone had a post that argued that Heavy Weight Torpedoes (HWT) should be installed as anti-submarine weapons on surface ships.

Cold War U.S. Navy Nearly Armed Its Frigates With Mk 48 Heavyweight Torpedoes

The Navy once toyed with the idea of putting heavyweight anti-submarine torpedoes on its frigates, an idea that could be relevant again today. by KEVIN NOONAN, JUN 6, 2023
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The argument is based on misgivings about the effectiveness of the Mk54 light weight torpedo (LWT)) and about reliance on only one weapon in general.

He specifically talks about problems with the Mk54 and the possibility of mounting at least one torpedo tube with reloads on the Constellation class guided missile frigates.
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He also advocates adding a bow mounted active sonar to provide targeting for the HWT. From what I hear, the CAPTAS 4 sonar really does make the bow mounted sonar unnecessary.
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His argument seems sound, but there are perhaps additional reasons for putting one or two heavy weight torpedo tubes on large Cutters, even if they don’t come with the very expensive Mk48 torpedoes.
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There are indications the Navy may be producing an alternative heavy weight torpedo tentatively named the RAPTOR (Rapid Acquisition Procurable Torpedo) and we have Anduril offering an unmanned underwater vehicle that serve as a heavy weight torpedo.
Given the implicit requirement in the Coast Guard mission set that cutters should be able to forcibly stop any vessel regardless of size, a heavy weight torpedo could be a very effective ship stopper with relatively long range.
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For Mobilization:
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In case of a major conflict I would anticipate large cutters would be used to enforce blockades and/or escort logistics support ships.
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The new generation of large cutters are armed adequately to enforce a blockade against clandestine shipments in small vessels for operations like Market Time, but to forcibly stop larger vessels we need something more than the 57mm. Since in most cases the desire would be to stop rather than to sink vessels like large tankers, we need something that can reliably disable propulsion, most probably a smart torpedo.
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To escort logistics ships against either China or Russia, the minimum requirement would be a towed array like CAPTAS 4 (selected to equip FFG-62 class) or one of that family, an ASW helicopter, space for torpedoes and sonobuoys, and additional personnel (probably Navy Reserves) to operate and maintain them.
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It would not be too difficult to add light weight torpedoes to large cutters, but unless there is major surgery, cutters will not have the vertical launch systems that allow Navy escort vessels to also have an organic longer ranged ASW weapon in the form of vertical launched ASROC for times when an ASW helicopter is not available. A heavy weight ASW torpedo could provide such a long range capability.

1 thought on “Heavy Weight Torpedoes on Surface Ships”

    1. Why only go big? There is the Very Lightweight Torpedo out there that has been built and tested by Northrop Grumman in 2020.  That launcher fits on deck.
    2. The FFG-62 needs an organic ASW weapons suite and torpedoes is the easiest way to fix that. 
    3. VL-ASROC in the past has typically locked up a Half-Module (four cells) for engagement purposes when launching a VL-ASROC.  Just load VL-ASROC in those cells?
    4. IMHO USCG Cutters need an ASW capability anyway because the Drug Submersibles are getting much more complex/capable…not just needed for ‘Mobilization’.  An AN/SQQ-89 ASWCS for the USCG needs to be developed.
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