The Mark 48 torpedo is the US Navy's primary weapon for hunting enemy submarines

Wars & Conflicts · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed to counter Soviet advances during the Cold War, the Mark 48 remains the backbone of American undersea warfare. This heavyweight torpedo uses sophisticated sonar and wire-guided technology to track targets, capable of breaking a ship's keel or circling back for a second strike if it misses its mark.

The Mark 48 originated from the 1956 Project Nobska study, which recommended a new research torpedo concept. Developed by Gould Ocean Systems Division in the late 1960s, it entered service in 1972 to replace older models like the Mk-37. The weapon was specifically engineered to neutralize deep-diving nuclear-powered submarines and high-performance surface vessels. Its propulsion relies on an axial-flow pump-jet engine fueled by Otto fuel II, a monopropellant that drives the system.

Continuous evolution has defined the weapon's service life. The Advanced Capability (ADCAP) program, accelerated in response to the Soviet Alfa-class submarine, introduced significant electronic and acoustic upgrades. By 1988, the Mod 5 variant was in service, followed by further iterations like the Mod 6, which improved noise isolation to evade detection. The Mod 7, or Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS), was developed jointly with the Royal Australian Navy to enhance sonar bandwidth and resistance to enemy countermeasures, reaching initial operational capability in 2006.

Modernization efforts remain ongoing. The Stealth Torpedo Enhancement Program, initiated in 2003, explores alternative power sources like electric fuel cells and a quiet 'swim out' launch capability to replace noisy compressed air systems. In 2015, the US Navy announced plans to restart production with a more modular design. The weapon's combat effectiveness was demonstrated in March 2026, when the USS Charlotte sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, marking the first time a US submarine had sunk a ship in active combat since World War II.

The torpedo utilizes an active electronically steered sonar array to track targets, while unconfirmed reports suggest it may also detect magnetic fields to detonate at an optimal stand-off distance. Whether guided by wires from the launch submarine or operating autonomously, the Mark 48 is designed to destroy structural integrity by detonating beneath a target's keel. It remains a critical asset, carried by all US Navy submarines and utilized by international partners including Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.

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