--- title: "7 of the most lethal Navy weapons in history" description: "The Navy has the mission of securing American interests on the ocean, and here are 7 of the most lethal Navy weapons in history." date: "2022-04-18" modified: "2023-04-13" authors: - name: "Logan Nye" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/logan-nye/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/7-lethal-weapons-navy-ships-right-now/" categories: - "History" - "Navy" - "Tactical" - "Weapons" --- # 7 of the most lethal Navy weapons in history ![]() The Navy has the mission of [securing American interests on the ocean](), otherwise known as "most of the planet." ## Here are 7 of the most lethal Navy weapons in history ### 1. Tomahawk Land Attack Missile- one of the most dangerous weapons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5EXzp2m-GY At $569,000 apiece, Tomahawks are expensive cruise missiles that pack a huge punch. They fly at 550 mph and have a maximum range between 700 and 1350 nautical miles, depending on which version of the missile is used. They can carry either 166 bomblets, a 1,000-pound conventional warhead, or the W80 nuclear warhead with a 5-150 kt yield. The Block IV Tomahawk missiles can even be reprogrammed in flight to hit different targets. ### 2. MK 48 Heavyweight Torpedo The [MK 48 heavy torpedo]() has 650 pounds of high-explosives packed into its warhead. It can swim at 28 knots for more than 5 miles to reach its target, homing in on it with an advanced sonar system. The Mod 7 version has sonar and guidance for better engaging targets in both deep and littoral waters while getting past enemy countermeasures. ### 3. Trident II Ballistic Missile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVIuDGrhkEY Deployed aboard Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, each [Trident II]() can carry 14 independently-targeted nuclear warheads. The warheads can be the W76 with a yield of 100 kt or the W88 which yields a 475-kt explosion. The submarines were built to carry 24 each. The number of nuclear warheads on a Trident II was limited to eight and the number of missiles on each submarine was limited to 20 by nuclear treaties. ### 4. Standard Missile (There's really nothing standard about this weapon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLWuzvnr\_u8 The Standard Missile has a boring name but awesome capabilities. It's a family of missiles that are primarily for shooting down planes and helicopters but can also attack ships, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. One even [took out a satellite](). Currently, different missiles are needed for different missions. The [SM-2]() can cripple an enemy ship while the [SM-3]() focuses on ballistic missiles. The youngest member of the family may change that. The SM-6 has successfully engaged cruise and ballistic missiles and [may be ]()[tested]()[ against surface ships in the future](). ### 5. MK 50 Advanced lightweight torpedo ![weapon being fired]() *Photo: US Navy Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho* While the MK 50 is much lighter than the MK 48 above, it still hits with an impressive 100-pound warhead and can swim at a blistering 40 knots. Designed to chase down and destroy double-hulled nuclear submarines, the [MK 50]() was created to get past torpedo countermeasures and kill the enemy, even in shallow water. It's one hell of a weapon. ### 6. Laser Weapon System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLRTDfsia44 Yes, this weapon is exactly what it sounds like. Already deployed aboard the USS *Ponce*, the Navy's Laser Weapon System concentrates light into a fine point, heating a target until it burns or explodes. So far, the laser has only been used in tests but the crew of the USS *Ponce* is allowed to [use the laser to defend the ship]() from actual threats. The laser can fire at different targets in rapid succession. Since shots cost less than a dollar each, double-tapping is probably fine. ### 7. Railgun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvAHXoSanU0 Like the laser above, the railgun is currently serving on only one Navy ship. The USNS *Millinocket* carries the prototype weapon, essentially a cannon that uses magnets instead of chemical propellants to fire a round over 110 nautical miles. Because the round is moving so fast, it can bust bunkers and other hard targets without the need for explosives. Also, the [railgun is expected]() to be able to engage missiles, speedboats, and aircraft at a fraction of the cost of other weapons. ## Author Logan was an Army journalist and paratrooper in the 82nd. Now, he's a freelance writer covering military history, culture, and technology. He has two upcoming podcasts and a Twitch channel focused on basic military literacy. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Facebook]()