Article Posted on : - Mar 23, 2012

HMCS Victoria is currently at sea conducting equipment trials so that the submarine can be declared fully operational in 2012. Photo: Canada MoD.

OTTAWA (BNS): Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Victoria has conducted a series of successful weapon system trials, including multiple firings of the exercise version of the MK48 Heavyweight Torpedo.

The test was carried out recently at Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges in Nanoose Bay, B.C.

In the exercise version of the torpedo, the warhead module is replaced with electronics for gathering test data, an MoD statement said.

These torpedo firings are part of the technical and operational tests of Victoria's weapons systems.

Victoria also participated in training with a naval task group while off the west coast of Vancouver Island, focussing on coordinated anti-submarine warfare tactics.

Equipment and crew trials will continue throughout March as part of Victoria's programme to being declared fully operational later this summer.

Victoria was undocked on April 18, 2011 and began a series of in-harbour tests and trials.

"These trials represent a major milestone for the Victoria-class submarine programme as Victoria is the first submarine in the fleet to fire a MK48 Heavyweight exercise Torpedo," said Navy Captain Luc Cassivi, Director Canadian Submarine Force.