• Source:JND

A US Navy submarine has sunk an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, off the coast of Sri Lanka. The US Department of Defense, Pentagon confirmed Thursday that they used a single Mark 48 (Mk-48) torpedo to destroy the ship. The escalation pose a serious threat, pointing that the US can hit Iranian targets anywhere, even far away from the Persian Gulf.

The ship was carrying about 180 people when it was hit. So far, only 32 people have been saved. Sri Lankan rescuers have found 87 bodies, and many more are still missing in the deep ocean. The Iranian ship was just leaving a friendly naval meeting in India when the US submarine caught up to it south of the city of Galle.

ALSO READ: US' Missile Stockpiles Under Threat Amid Iran War? What Pentagon Report Says On Weapon Shortages

How Does The MK-48 Work

The Mark 48 is not an usual missile that hits the side of a boat. Instead, it is designed to be a "back-breaker." It swims deep under the water and explodes directly underneath the middle of the ship. The explosion creates a huge air bubble that lifts the entire ship out of water. When the bubble pops, the ship’s own weight causes it to snap in half like a twig. It breaks the ship's spine, the vessel sinks almost instantly, giving the crew no time to escape.

ALSO READ: Iran-Israel War: Trump Says 'Too Late' For Tehran Negotiations Talks As Middle East Tensions Soar

This weapon is incredibly smart and stealthy. It stays connected to the submarine by a thin wire, allowing sailors on the sub to steer it manually. This implies that the ship cannot move the torpedo with decoys or electronic jamming. In its final seconds, the torpedo turns on its own "ears" to lock onto the sound of the ship's engines for a perfect hit. By sinking this ship, the US has sent a clear message that no Iranian vessel is safe on the open seas.


Also In News