Difference between revisions of "Limbo (weapon)"

Latest revision as of 19:43, 2 July 2010

Limbo
Type	anti-submarine mortar
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1955 – 1980s
Used by	Royal Navy
Wars	Falklands War
Production history
Designer	Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
Specifications
Crew	3
Shell	400lb depth charge
Calibre	12 inches (30 cm)
Barrels	3
Effective range	400 yards (366 m) to 1,000 yards (914 m)
Warhead	Minol
Warhead weight	94 kilograms (207 lb)
Detonation mechanism	Contact
Guidance system	Type 170 sonar

Limbo, or Anti Submarine Mortar Mark 10 (A/S Mk.10), was the final British development of a forward-throwing anti-submarine weapon originally designed during the Second World War. Limbo, a three-barreled mortar similar to the earlier Squid that it superseded, was developed by the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment in the 1950s. Squid was loaded manually, which was difficult on a pitching deck in heavy seas with no protection from the elements; Limbo was loaded and fired automatically, with all the crew under cover. It was widely fitted on the quarterdeck of Royal Navy escort ships on a mounting stabilised for pitch and roll from 1955 to the mid–1980s.

The range of the mortars was controlled by opening gas vents from 400 to a maximum of 1,000 yards (366 and 910 m). The weapon was linked to the sonar system of the ship, firing on command when the target was in range. The rounds were projected so that they fell in a triangular pattern around the target. Limbo could fire in any direction around the ship and is reported to have been very accurate. The weapon was used in the 1982 Falklands War, and remained in service in the Royal Navy and Commonwealth navies until the 1990s when it was superseeded by the Mark 44 torpedo

Sonar control of the A/S Mortar Mk 10

The firing of the Mortar Mk 10 was controlled by the type 170 sonar from the SCR (Sonar Control Room), which was generally located next to the Operations Room in the warship.

The 170 sonar was operated by 3 operators, who maintained sonar contact with the target, and effectively aimed the weapon in bearing, range and depth. The operators were controlled by the SC (Sonar Controller (Sid)) who was in charge of the SCR.

When a contact had been confirmed as a hostile submarine, the Sonar Controller manually fired the Mortar Mk 10 from the SCR upon receiving the order from the Captain in the Operations Room.

General characteristics

• Total system weight: 35 tons including 51 projectiles (17 salvos).

References

• Naval Armament, Doug Richardson, 1981, Jane's Publishing, ISBN 0-531-03738-X