Iran is under fire this week for launching numerous ballistics against the urgings of the UN and international community. One of the most widely discussed and worrisome is the Hoot (Whale) Torpedo. What is the Hoot Torpedo?
Like a normal torpedo, the Hoot Torpedo is fired from ships with the intent to down other ships or submarines. The Hoot Torpedo travels faster than most other torpedoes and has a top speed of 360 km/h.
The Iranians first tested the Hoot Torpedo in a military exercise dubbed "Great Prophet" in April of 2006.
The United States and other countries have expressed concern over the new developments but are not worried that they could lead to serious conflict with Iran. "The reality is there is a lot of signaling going on," Said U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. "But everybody recognizes what the consequences of any kind of a conflict would be."
Sources: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgZ55IhebcnRDnAzMeZxnlJLiieg, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoot_(missile)