Whitehead Mark 5 torpedo

• Name — Whitehead Mark 5 torpedo • Origin — Austria-Hungary • Type — Anti-surface ship torpedo • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Missile — yes • Service — 1910–1922 • Used By — United States Navy • Designer — Robert Whitehead • Manufacturer — Torpedofabrik Whitehead & Co. Naval Torpedo Station Vickers Limited • Design Date — 1901 • Weight — 1452 pounds • Length — 204 inches (5.18 meters) • Diameter — 17.7 inches (45 centimeters) • Range — 1000–4000 yards • Filling — wet guncotton • Filling Weight — 200 pounds • Detonation — War Nose Mk 5 contact exploder • Engine — 4-cylinder reciprocating • Speed — 27–40 knots • Guidance — gyroscope • Launch Platform — battleships, torpedo boats and submarines

The Mark 5 was a "hot-running" (powered by heated air) torpedo, as opposed to previous Whitehead designs, which were "cold-running". It was similar in performance to the Bliss-Leavitt torpedoes of that era. Around 500 units were produced by the Naval Torpedo Station and Vickers Limited. The Mark 5 had variable speed; at a high speed of 40 knots, it had a range of 1000 yards. A low speed of 27 knots allowed the weapon a range of 4000 yards; at medium speed of 36 knots, its range was 2000 yards. This variable speed was set before loading the torpedo in its tube by adjusting the reducing valve. The Mark 5 was, however, overshadowed by the increasing efficiency and range of Bliss-Leavitt torpedoes. In 1922, all torpedoes prior to the Bliss-Leavitt Mark 7 torpedo in the US Navy's inventory were condemned in favor of more modern versions. The Mark 5 was launched from destroyers, torpedo boats and other small ships.