K745 Blue Shark
The K745 Blue Shark is a lightweight anti-submarine torpedo developed for the Republic of Korea Navy in 2004.
Development
The Blue Shark torpedo can be deployed from surface ships, ASW helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. Production cost for each torpedo is at about ₩ 1,000,000,000.Blue Shark torpedoes are fitted to the Incheon, Daegu- and Chungnam classes of Frigates as well as to the Sejong the Great-class of Destroyers. It is exported to the Philippines as part of the acquisition process for both the Jose Rizal-class Frigates., Miguel Malvar-class Frigates and Augusta-Westland AW159 helicopters.
Variants
An improved variant, the lightweight torpedo-2 is being developed by LIG Nex1. New capabilities include longer range and lesser vulnerability to decoys. The research and development program is expected to be complete in 2029.Operators
- : Philippine Navy
- : Republic of Korea Navy
Weapons of comparable role, performance and era
- APR-3E torpedo - Russian equivalent
- Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo - US Navy's equivalent
- A244-S - Italian equivalent
- MU90 Impact - French/Italian equivalent
- Sting Ray - British equivalent
- TAL Shyena - Indian equivalent
- Yu-7 torpedo - Chinese equivalent
- Type 97 light weight torpedo - Japanese equivalent