Military Parade | Buy Online | Past Issues | Forums | Advertise | Search | Contact Us
Military Parade Samizdat
The Magazine of the Military Industrial Complex
Search:
Contents  Military Parade 2000. February: Navy
Issue Contents  

The UGST Versatile Torpedo

 · Valeryi Kulbitskyi · Chief Designer of the Morteplotekhnika Research Institute
 · Alexander Peterburg · Chief Designer of the Region State Research and Production Enterprise
 · Sergei Chekulaev · Head of the Marketing Department of the Morteplotekhnika Research Institute

At the turn of the century, torpedo weapons continue to play an important role in the system of marine implements of war.

Fig. 1. Loading of the UGST torpedo on the ship

At the turn of the century, torpedo weapons continue to play an important role in the system of marine implements of war. This is explained by a number of factors. For example, the high power potential and powerful acoustic system of a heavyweight torpedo is an advantage over lightweight torpedoes in anti-submarine warfare, particularly under heavy countermeasures. In contrast to a cruise missile, a modern heavyweight torpedo will always sink a surface ship in the event of a direct hit. The cruiser General Belgrano sunk by British torpedoes in 1982 is a good example. Had not the Argentinean submarine Saint Luis been armed with German torpedoes, which are known for their low efficiency, the outcome of using heavyweight torpedoes in that war could have been more impressive.

Another outstanding characteristic of heavyweight torpedoes is their versatility. A drastic upswing in the capabilities of onboard computers and emergence of powerful low-noise propulsion systems have made it possible to devise weapons equally effective against surface and underwater targets.

The versatility of modern heavyweight torpedoes also permits their launch from different platforms. Torpedoes are indispensable for nuclear and conventional submarines. Over the past few years, transition has been made by the Navy from two types of torpedoes (for example the TEST-71 anti-submarine torpedoes and 53-65K anti-ship torpedoes) to a single versatile torpedo. As the spectrum of combat missions performed by heavyweight torpedoes has broadened considerably, attempts have been made to include them in the weapons suites of newly built or modernized surface ships.

The new Russian-made versatile torpedo, designated UGST, continues the traditions of the national torpedo-building industry, which has been supplying the Navy with reliable and effective torpedoes for over 100 years. The new torpedo has been designed through cooperation of several firms. The leading developer is Morteplotekhnika (Marine Heat Engineering) Research Institute, which developed the world’s fastest torpedo, designated 53-65M, propelled by a 1,350 kW hydrogen-peroxide turbine. The Institute has vast experience in developing thermal propulsion systems for torpedoes.

Fig. 2. Engine piston unit

The leading developer of onboard electronics is Region State Research and Production Enterprise, which developed the unique Shkval high-speed underwater rocket and APR-2 and APR-3 air-launched anti-submarine missiles. The enterprise has extensive experience in developing modern hydroacoustic and electronic systems for underwater weapons.

As the UGST torpedo has a modular design, a whole family of various torpedo versions can be derived from the basic model, each of which can undergo multi-level modernization —from reprogramming the electronics to changing the propulsion system and/or tank section. The torpedo’s modularity makes it adaptable to different applications. For example, the 7.2-m long basic model of the torpedo can be launched from platforms designed to Russian standards, while its 6.1-m long modification fits torpedo tubes designed to NATO standards.

The propulsion system of the UGST torpedo is derived from an axial-piston engine developed by Morteplotekhnika. This engine features a rotating combustion chamber into which a liquid monofuel is injected by a high-pressure (up to 35 MPa) plunger pump. A powder charge accommodated in the combustion chamber allows the engine to generate more power, which, combined with high dynamic characteristics of the engine, is very important for the weapon immediately after launch. The engine and the torpedo incorporate modern technologies, which improve the weapon’s vibroacoustic characteristics. Owing to these improvements, the torpedo noise has been reduced to an acceptable level, and optimal operation of the homing system has been provided.

The engine drives the low-noise pump-jet propulsor directly, without a reduction gear unit. The torpedo’s hydrodynamic system features twin control surfaces, which unfold when the weapon leaves the torpedo tube. This torpedo design reduces its noise. As the torpedo’s control surfaces are highly effective in operation, the weapon swiftly covers the initial section of its path after being fired from either a submarine or a surface ship and speeds towards its target. The high efficiency of the control surfaces is particularly noticeable when the target distance is short. The weapon’s tail unit is fitted with devices to integrate it with the platform, and has mounts for wire guidance and data input equipment.

A warhead section accommodates a removable vessel containing an explosive charge. Modifications of the warhead section involve varying assortment and weight of explosive materials and use of different detonation techniques, which makes it possible to obtain various direct-action patterns of warhead, thereby increasing its effectiveness.

An exploder consists of an electromagnetic influence target sensor containing an electronic signal selection unit, and an electromechanical impact detonator containing an electronic arming and safety unit. The arming and safety unit provides for three levels of safety. The electromagnetic sensor optimizes the explosive charge detonation distance when the torpedo closes in with the target at different angles to inflict the maximum possible damage to it.

The torpedo’s fore section accommodates an electronics module containing a homing system. The active/passive homing system employs a planar transmit/receive antenna array whose scan sector can be adjusted, as well as specific multichannel active sonar subsystems. The homing system is capable of detecting surface and underwater targets over several channels both in deep and shallow waters, guide the torpedo onto the mid-section of the target ship hull and detonate the weapon’s warhead at the required distance to the target.

The core of the electronics module is its computer, which controls the following torpedo systems:

- long-range, short-range and wake-homing systems;

- wire guidance system;

- target detection system (electromagnetic channel);

- inertial navigation system;

- programmed path system;

- track angle stabilization system;

- Planshet system;

- firing circuit automatics;

- recording system.

The described electronics module architecture has been attained through the use of an integrated control systems technology, which involves application of a universal reprogrammable onboard computer system comprising different information subsystems combined into a single information field.

Apart from its small size and low power consumption, the advantages of such a system include high reliability and two-level modernization potential. For example, the new modification of the torpedo can be obtained by replacing the system unit of the computing core or its reprogramming. In this case, no modification of the electronics module is required.

The algorithms of the system unit of the baseline torpedo model incorporate the most advanced developments. For example, the unique Planshet algorithm is capable of modeling target situation on board the torpedo on the basis of the information entered into it before firing. This information describes the number and characteristics of potential targets, location of friendly ships, sea depth, bottom relief, waterway, etc. As the torpedo is heading towards the target, this information is continually updated through the weapon’s homing system and parent ship-to-torpedo wire guidance facilities.

Modern algorithms impart artificial intelligence properties to a torpedo, thereby enabling the firing ship to launch several torpedoes simultaneously at one or more targets in a multiple target environment under heavy countermeasures, and attain a high degree of accuracy.

The UGST torpedo is can be launched from a 53 cm (21 in) torpedo tube installed in Russian and foreign-made submarines and surface ships of different classes. The torpedo’s onboard systems are adapted to the platform’s relevant systems by adjusting the weapon’s computer software to that of the parent ship. To arm the ships being modernized with this torpedo, a special adapter-console is provided through which the torpedo prelaunch preparation is carried out and firing data are entered before firing.

The UGST-type torpedoes are supplied to users complete with:

- torpedo check-out, preparation and repair equipment;

- spare parts;

- personnel training facilities;

- shore-based maintenance facilities.

An exercise configuration of the torpedo is used for the training of naval personnel and formations. A warshot configuration of the torpedo is converted to the exercise configuration by substituting a practice section for the warhead section. For positive buoyancy, the practice torpedo’s fuel tank can be filled partially. Thus, designers and engineers have succeeded in implementing a modern «heavyweight torpedo» concept in the UGST torpedo. This means that with the torpedo running characteristics (speed, range, depth) maintained at the required level, its intelligence has been sharply raised, and, consequently, high target hit probability has been attained even for applications when the weapon is used under adverse hydrological conditions and heavy countermeasures.

The UGST versatile torpedo is an effective naval weapon, which fully meets operational requirements of the start of the millenium. Taking into consideration the torpedo’s modernization potential, the weapon is likely to serve with navies for many decades to come.

Copyright ©1996-2000 Military Parade Ltd. Designed by ayp