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As an effective antisubmarine weapon, torpedoes are, and will remain in the foreseeable future, the main armament of combatant ships. They have a number of advantages over antiship missiles, such as complexity of torpedo detection and countermeasures in water; an ability to damage to the underwater part of a surface ship, which significantly reduces the ship’s survivability; and torpedoes’ high kill capability. As an effective antisubmarine weapon, torpedoes are, and will remain in the foreseeable future, the main armament of combatant ships. They have a number of advantages over antiship missiles, such as complexity of torpedo detection and countermeasures in water; an ability to damage to the underwater part of a surface ship, which significantly reduces the ship’s survivability; and torpedoes’ high kill capability.
With regard to their weight/ dimension characteristics, carrier type and missions to be executed, torpedoes are currently divided into two classes: light and heavy. Torpedoes of 450mm and larger caliber are conventionally classified as heavy, and others as light ones. Heavy, multipurpose or single-purpose, torpedoes are used to arm submarines and surface ships and intended to destroy both surface and underwater targets. Their distinguishing features are as follows: - two or three speeds, which considerably increases the number of firing positions and provides for engaging sea targets at any speed; - acoustic homing system with a controllable operating range and digital processing of acoustic signals ensuring the high target selectivity for the torpedo in conditions of natural interference (shallow water, seaways, local acoustic non-uniformities, etc.) and hydroacoustic countermeasures taken by the target under attack; - remote control that allows the crew to minimize launch preparation time, effectively classify the detected targets, enhance target hit probability, and thereby reduce torpedo consumption two to three times; - a high-power explosive charge (200 kg and more) that ensures target engagement by one torpedo.
The distinguishing feature of light torpedoes is that they can be used by various carriers. For example, they are used to arm surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. In addition, they are used as components of missile/torpedo and mine/torpedo armament systems. The main task of light torpedoes is to defeat submarines. Currently, the antisubmarine torpedo market offers a wide range of multipurpose heavy torpedoes designed for equipping surface ships and submarines. The United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Russia are the main suppliers of this weapon to the international market. The USA started large-scale trade in torpedo weapons immediately after WWII, particularly with the foundation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The first torpedoes, designated Mk-14, Mk-15, Mk-23 and Mk-32, were supplied to NATO countries only. However, the development of foreign navies and an increase in demand for weapons and armaments in the world, promted the USA to expand its sales of torpedoes.
The Mk-37C 483mm universal torpedo was supplied to Argentina, Turkey, Peru and Venezuela. In 1990-1991, this torpedo was modified for higher speed and improved homing and control systems. The updated Mk-37C (NT-37) torpedo is currently in service with the navies of Canada, Egypt and Norway, and it continues to be exported.In 1971, the USA launched the production of a new, 533mm thermal torpedo (Mk-48) to equip submarines of the U.S. and other navies. The Mk-48 torpedo and its modifications were sold to Australia and Canada. Britain produced the Mk-24, Models 1 and 2, 533mm heavy torpedoes (Tigerfish), developed in 1983 (Model 1) and 1987 (Model 2) by GEC-Marconi for the navies of Brazil and Turkey. German companies specialize in the production of 533mm heavy torpedoes intended for equipping submarines and surface ships. In 1977, STN Atlas developed the SUT multipurpose torpedo intended for export. The torpedo was adopted for service with the navies of Chile, India and Greece. Since 1986, it has been produced under license by Indonesia for its own navy. In the 1980s, Germany developed and put into series production the SST-4 antiship torpedo. A considerable amount of these torpedoes has since been manufactured. Germany’s traditional partners in military-technical cooperation - Argentina, Venezuela and Turkey - became their main purchasers.
Torpedoes of the above types make the bulk of the heavy torpedoes (in addition to Russian-made ones) offered on the international market. Sales of torpedoes of other types (L5 and F17P from France, TP61 from Sweden, A-184 from Italy, and others) constitute a considerably smaller part of the torpedo market. The USA and Italy are considered undisputed leaders on the world market among light torpedo suppliers. For example, the U.S.-made Mk-46 torpedoes of various modifications have been sold to over 30 countries worldwide, while the Italian A-244/S torpedoes were delivered to Singapore, Sweden and another dozen countries. Only a few countries can afford, and are capable of, developing and producing sophisticated torpedoes. This factor forces even highly developed countries to pool efforts to develop and produce new types of torpedoes. By way of example one can cite the joint development by France and Italy of a small-size torpedo under the Impact program. Another factor is the emergence of new torpedo-developing countries. For instance, China and India have been reported to be developing 533mm and 324mm thermal and electric torpedoes.
Sales distribution among exporters of heavy submarine torpedoes is shown in the diagram above. Torpedo-building in Russia has a rich history which dates back to the mid-70s of the 19th century. The first Russian torpedo, developed by I.F. Alexandrovsky, was tested in 1874, and the first Soviet torpedo, designated 53-27, was adopted for service with the Navy in 1927. Since the beginning of torpedo development by Russia and the Soviet Union, a considerable amount of torpedo weaponry has been developed and put into the inventory of the Navy. All combatant ships ever exported by the U.S.S.R. and Russia were armed with Soviet/Russian-made torpedoes. The vast experience in developing and employing torpedoes enables Russia to offer up-to-date, reliable and highly effective torpedoes tfor export. Currently, the main types of torpedoes used to arm submarines, surface ships and naval aircraft, built by Russia for export and adopted for service by several countries, are 53-65KE, SET-65KE, TEST-71MKE, APR-3E, and UMGT-1ME. The SET-65KE and 53-65KE heavy torpedoes are used to equip both submarines and surface ships, while the TEST-71ME and TEST-71MKE torpedoes are used to arm submarines.The UMGT-1ME 400mm light torpedo and the APR-3E 350mm antisubmarine missile are used by aircraft. Today, along with various torpedoes, which are traditionally installed on ships and naval aircraft exported by Russia, we offer new-generation underwater weapons, including the TEST-71-NK/ME and UGST heavy torpedoes and the Shkval-E high-speed underwater missiles.
THE 53-65KE LONG-RANGE OXYGEN HOMING TORPEDO is designed to defeat surface ships and can be launched from submarines and surface ships. It is equipped with a wake homing system and boasts high jamming immunity to natural interference and jamming. Its course, depth and roll control system provides for two-plane maneuvering of the torpedo and steers it into the proximity fuze actuation zone or ensures a direct hit on the target. In this case, the explosive charge is detonated by a contact fuze. Its turbine-type thermal propulsion system ensures a considerable operating range and running speed.For training purposes, practice torpedoes are available. The 53-65KE is reliable and simple in operation. The torpedo requires no maintenance even when stored in torpedo tubes, on carrier’s racks, or in arsenals for a long time. THE SET-65KE ELECTRIC. HOMING TORPEDO is designed to defeat submerged submarines and can be used by surface ships and submarines. Its hydroacoustic active homing system ensures torpedo homing to a maneuvering target irrespective of the target noise level. Its course, depth and roll control system provides for two-plane maneuvering of the torpedo and steers it into the proximity fuze actuation zone or ensures a direct hit on the target. In this case, the explosive charge is detonated by two contact fuzes. Its propulsion system, consisting of a single-use storage battery and a birotary electric motor, ensures wakeless run, constant speed and range regardless of the running depth. The torpedo is reliable in operation. It requires no maintenance even when stored in torpedo tubes, on carrier’s racks, or in arsenals for a long time.
For training purposes, the practice version of the torpedo is available. THE TEST-71MKE (TEST-71-NK/ME) REMOTELY-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC HOMING TORPEDO is designed to defeat submerged submarines and can be used by surface ships and submarines. Its hydroacoustic active homing system, together with the remote control system, ensures torpedo homing to a maneuvering target irrespective of the target noise level. The remote control system allows the operator to monitor torpedo maneuvering, control it during firing, stop homing and redirect it to another target, which is particularly important when firing at a submarine using hydroacoustic countermeasures. Its course, depth and roll control system provides for two-plane maneuvering of the torpedo and steers it into the proximity fuze actuation zone or ensures a direct hit on the target. In this case, the explosive charge is detonated by two contact fuzes. Its propulsion system, consisting of a single-use storage battery and a birotary electric motor, ensures wakeless run, constant speed and range regardless of the running depth. For the submarine’s sonar operator’s convenience, the torpedo has two running speeds. The torpedo is reliable in operation. It requires no maintenance even when stored in torpedo tubes, on carrier’s racks, or in arsenals for a long time. For training purposes, practice torpedoes are available. The TEST-71-NK/ME multipurpose torpedo is a modernized version of the TEST-71MKE. The modernized torpedo’s homing system is equipped with an antiship channel for wake homing. It also has an upgraded control system. THE APR-3E AIR-LAUNCHED ANTISUBMARINE MISSILE is dropped from an ASW aircraft following initial target designation. As distinct from existing light torpedoes, the missile boasts faster target search and detection, high-speed missile-to-target approach after target lock-on, and target defeat before it counteracts. The missile features a hydroacoustic guidance system using a combination of the phase-correlation data processing method with matched filtration and amplitude selection methods. Target scanning is carried out during missile submerging by gravity along the spiral trajectory with its propulsion plant cut off. The missile is equipped with a solid-propellant turbojet. It is reliable in operation and easy in maintenance.THE UMGT-1ME ELECTRIC HOMING TORPEDO is designed to defeat submerged and surfaced submarines. It is suspended in an aircraft bomb bay and can be dropped within a wide range of flight speeds and altitudes. The torpedo is equipped with an active/passive homing system that ensures torpedo homing to a maneuvering target irrespective of the target noise level. Its course, depth and roll control system provides for two-plane maneuvering of the torpedo and steers it into the proximity fuze actuation zone or ensures a direct hit on the target. The electric propulsion plant ensures wakeless torpedo run, constant speed and range regardless of the running depth. The torpedo is reliable in operation and can be safely stored in arsenals without maintenance. The torpedo modular design is convenient for maintenance. For training purposes, provision is made for practice torpedoes. The torpedo can be carried by ASW aircraft provided with internal torpedo suspension facilities. THE UGST MULTIPURPOSE TORPEDO is Russia’s new-generation heavy torpedo designed to defeat submarines and surface ships. It can be launched from submarines and surface ships in autonomous and remote control modes. The torpedo has been developed in two versions: 7.2 m and 6.1 m long. The torpedo can be included in carriers’ ammunition load with torpedo tubes designed to Russian and NATO standards. The UGST torpedo is provided with digital data processing equipment integrated into a hardware module incorporating the following onboard systems: far and near zone homing, and wake homing; remote control; proximity fuze; inertial navigation; explosive train automatics; built-in test; combat situation plotting board; etc. Its homing system detects surface and underwater targets in deep and shallow seas via several channels, and guides the torpedo to an assigned target point to inflict maximum damage. The torpedo features high jamming immunity to natural interference and jamming. Its propulsion system consists of an axial piston engine operating on a single-component fuel, and a water-jet propeller. To reduce its vibroacoustic noise, advanced technologies were used in the torpedo design. The torpedo can be completed with maintenance equipment and training aids. THE SHKVAL-E HIGH-SPEED UNDERWATER MISSILE is designed to defeat surface ships and can be launched from surface ships and stationary launchers. The missile has no analogs in the world. It features high destructive capability due to its explosive charge and the kinetic effect on the target. Its maximum cruise speed is 200 knots. |
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Issue Contents 
Table 1
Fig.1 SET-65KE torpedo combat employment 
