History: SUBASWEX 2-28 Torpedo Exercise Report, 29 Jan 68 to 9 Feb 68

SUBASWEX 2-28 involved an operational test of the recently introduced MK 37-2 acoustic homing torpedo.  The Mk 37-2 is different from its predecessor, the Mk 37-1, in several respects. It has an Anti-Capture function to prevent surface capture when set for shallow depths. From 29 January to 2 February (68), TIRU fired 21 Mk 37-2 torpedoes, set to hit, at the USS BLACKFIN (SS322) at various ranges and using various settings in accordance with doctrine for this weapon. Of these 21, 14 torpedoes actually hit BLACKFIN for a weapons effectiveness percentage of 67%. The next week the exercise continued and TIRU fired 13 torpedoes with 6 hits for a percentage of 46%. The results were adversely affected by a casualty to the fire control system which undoubtedly reduced significantly the number of successful attacks.

BACK TO HISTORY