The Early Cold War
Anti-Submarine Warfare

The Canadian navy's main Cold War mission was anti-submarine warfare against the naval forces of the Soviet Union and its allies. Canada's navy operated within a framework of alliances, especially the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), created in 1949.

Homing Torpedo Mk 43 Mod 3

The Mark 43 was an anti-submarine homing torpedo designed to be carried and launched by helicopters, aircraft, and surface ships.

Some 2.3 metres long, 25 centimetres in diameter, and weighing about 120 kilograms, the Mark 43 was smaller and much lighter than its predecessors. As the performance of Soviet submarines increased, newer homing torpedoes were developed to counter them, and the Mark 43 was ultimately replaced by weapons with higher speed and greater range. Westinghouse Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy donated this torpedo to the Canadian War Museum after it was used in a 1960 exhibition relating to the navy's 50th anniversary.

Homing Torpedo, Mk 43 Mod 3
CWM 19610005-001