Canadian navy has wrong torpedoes for subs
From this article:
The country’s stock of second-hand submarines – already beleaguered with repairs and upgrades — is incapable of firing the MK-48 torpedoes they currently own.
When Canada purchased its current fleet of four submarines from Britain in 1998, they were fitted for British torpedoes. At the time, Canada was heavily invested with the modern MK-48 torpedo system and did not want to abandon it.
Like any shopper trying to justify a second-hand purchase in the face of an obstacle, they figured it was still a good deal. They “Canadianized” the submarines, but, 13 year later, they still haven’t got around to the “weaponization” part.
“The Canadian Forces has always intended for the Victoria Class submarines to carry and fire the Mark 48 torpedo,” wrote Denise LaViolette, the director of navy public affairs, in an email. “Initial weapons certification will be progressed early in 2012 in HMCS Victoria for Pacific operations followed that year by HMCS Windsor for Atlantic operations.”
I doubt the lack of certification means these subs can’t actually physically fire a Mk48 and use it effectively.
Weapons Systems
The submarine has six 533 mm (21 in) bow torpedo tubes equipped with two air-turbine pump discharge systems. The tubes could be used for Marconi Tigerfish Mk 24 Mod 2 or Spearfish torpedoes. sub-Harpoon missiles or mines could be used in place of torpedoes.
In Canadian service, the sub-Harpoon missile firing and mine-laying capabilities have been removed. The torpedo room or weapons storage compartment houses racks for storing up to 18 Gould Mk 48 Mod 4 torpedoes. The torpedoes, operating at 40 knots (74 km/h) speed, are deployed against targets over a range of 50 km. The torpedo range is 38 km at speeds up to 55 knots (102 km/h). The torpedoes use active and passive homing to approach the designated target.
Lockheed Martin Canada, Lockheed Martin Undersea Systems and Northstar Technical upgraded and installed the submarine’s Lockheed Martin Librascope Torpedo Fire-control system (TFCS) to meet the operational requirements of the Canadian Navy. Components from the fire control system of the Oberon class submarines were installed. A UHF DAMA satellite communications system has also been fitted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upholder/Victoria_class_submarine
The Canadian Oberons used United States Navy torpedoes throughout their career: they were initially equipped with Mark 37 torpedo, but were later upgraded for Mark 48 torpedoes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberon_class
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