"This weapon was developed during the 1960s as part of a family of torpedoes to meet the requirements of the French Navy. The L series is for anti-submarine roles and the E series for anti-surface vessel roles and the L 3 was to succeed the L2. It was the last of the large (21.6 inches or 550 mm) heavyweight ASW torpedoes designed by the French Navy although a prototype 21-inch (533 mm) version was developed for export but was not sold. The weapon is a surface ship - and submarine-launched torpedo for use against submarines and it is designed to complement the E14/E15 family of torpedoes with which it has considerable commonality of components."