Type 97 light weight torpedo (G-RX4)

The Type 97 Torpedo is a short-range torpedo developed and built by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. This type of torpedo, like many other modern Japanese weapons systems, is not exported.

Development

At the end of the Cold War, Soviet attack submarines were capable of moving at higher speed and diving at lower depth, less able to deal with them. So a new type of torpedo needed to be developed.
In 1989 a new torpedo project by Japan, G-RX4, was launched to develop the necessary upgrades and start making prototypes. By 1997 the new torpedo was approved and put into service and is called the Type 97. The torpedo is now equipping the JMSDF P-1 and P-3 ASW aircraft as well as filling the Mark 32 torpedo tubes on surface ships.