The Spearfish torpedo is the heavy Acoustic homing torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. It provides both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW) capability. The significantly higher speed of the Spearfish was intended to catch high-speed Soviet threats such as the Alfa class submarine.

General Characteristics

• Speed: 81 knots at high speed setting
• Range: 54 kilometers (30 nautical miles) at low speed, 23 kilometers (12.5 nautical miles) at high speed
• Length: 7 meters (23 feet)
• Diameter: 533mm (21 inches)
• Weight: 1850 kilogram (4075 pounds)
• Warhead: 300 kilograms (660 pounds) directed energy
• Power Plant: Sundstrand gas-turbine
• Fuel: Otto fuel
• Guidance System: Wire guided with active terminal homing sonar
• First Deployed: 1992