U.S. Navy’s USS Charlotte Los Angeles-class Submarine Sank Iranian Warship

The U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Charlotte was the vessel that sank an Iranian Navy Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena using MK-48 torpedoes in the Indian Ocean earlier this week.

U.S. officials told CBS News that two torpedoes were launched by the submarine- the first one missed the target, while the second struck the vessel, sinking it.

The U.S. Navy’s website said attack submarines, like the USS Charlotte are used to find and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships, intelligence and reconnaissance missions, and engage in mini warfare. The subs can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles, the website said.

The Mk 48 is a heavyweight wire-guided weapon designed to detonate beneath a ship's keel, causing catastrophic structural damage rather than a simple hull penetration.

The IRIS Dena was reportedly returning from an international fleet review and MILAN exercise organized by the Indian Navy in the Bay of Bengal till February 25. The vessel sank 20 nautical miles south of Galle in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Navy has mounted rescue operations and reported that 32 personnel were rescued out of a crew of 180.

The targeting of the vessel drew sharp condemnation from Iran, which said the ship was not carrying weapons at the time it was struck.