The K745A1 Red Shark (Korean홍상어; RRHong-sang-eo) torpedo, also called the K-ASROC, is a vertically launched anti-submarine missile successively developed and tested by Korea University of Science and Technology, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and the Republic of Korea Navy in 2009.[2] The Red Shark missile has a range of 12 miles (19 km)[3] and carries a K745 Blue Shark torpedo that is deployed by parachute near the intended target. After release, the Blue Shark independently searches for the target.

K745A1 Red Shark
K745A1 홍상어 대잠 미사일
A K745A1 Red Shark anti-submarine missile launching from the ship's vertical launcher
TypeAnti-submarine missile
Homing torpedo
Place of originSouth Korea
Service history
In service2010–present
Used byRepublic of Korea Navy
Production history
DesignerAgency for Defense Development
Designed1999–2009
ManufacturerLIG Nex1
Unit cost 2,000,000,000 (US$1.75 million)
Produced2010–present
Specifications
Mass820 kilograms (1,810 lb)[1]
Length5,744 millimeters (18.845 ft)[1]
Diameter382 millimeters (1.253 ft)[1]

Maximum firing range19 kilometers (21,000 yd)[1]

EngineTVC rocket motor
Maximum speed 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph)
Guidance
system
Midcourse and terminal guidance
Launch
platform
K-VLS[1]

The missiles are planned to be deployed on KDX-II and KDX-III destroyers starting in 2010. Each destroyer will carry between 8 (KDX-II) and 16 (KDX-III) of the missiles. The development cost of the program was around US$ 80 million,[3] with a production cost of about $14 million.[3] They were designed in order to combat the potential threat of North Korean submarines.[3]

Ships

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A K745A1 Red Shark anti-submarine missile launch on a ship-based vertical launcher platform

The Red Shark missiles are fitted to the following ship classes

Production

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Production phase Production date Production number Notes
Phase 1 2010-2012 60-70[4] -
Phase 2 2013-2015[5] n/a -

See also

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Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "홍상어" (PDF). Agency for Defense Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. ^ Yonhap News - S. Korea builds guided missile tipped with torpedo 6/22/2009
  3. ^ a b c d "South Korea to produce Red Shark torpedoes". UPI. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  4. ^ Yonhap News - S. Korea to deploy advanced anti-sub missiles on destroyers 8/13/2009
  5. ^ "Chosun Daily - 軍, 2012년까지 홍상어 60~70여기 배치 8/13/2009". Archived from the original on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
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