Looking to the West: CRAW's tiny torpedo will change the US submarine fleet
The submarine fleet of the United States is awaiting revolutionary changes thanks to the creation of the newest antitrust force. This opinion expressed the publication The Drive.
In the fiscal year's request for the US Navy's 2020 fiscal year, the “Anti-torpedo Compact Program weapons rapid attack (ATT CRAW) "in light of the ability to connect this product to the AN / BYG-1 control system. The latter plans to equip promising submarine cruisers with ballistic missiles of the Columbia class, multi-purpose submarines of the Virginia type (Block IV and V modifications), as well as future Australian diesel-electric submarines of the Ataka class.
Work on small-sized anti-torpedo has been underway for more than ten years as part of the CVLWT project. Its core is a “frame” on which warheads can be placed and, depending on the combat mission, various systems optimized for certain functions. The power supply system works by immersing lithium in gaseous sulfur hexafluoride, which leads to a violent chemical reaction, which, in turn, generates steam that drives the turbine engine. This mechanism allows the torpedo to perform accelerated acceleration.
With a 6 ¾ inch diameter (approx. 170 mm) and a length of about 85 inches (2160 mm), the CVLWT is significantly smaller than the latest versions of the Mk 48 heavy torpedo, which is now the standard weapon of this type for US Navy submarines. Mk 48 have a diameter of about 21 inches and a length of 228 inches. The typical weight of a mini-torpedo, about 220 pounds (100 kg), is also more than 16 times lighter than its heavy counterpart.
- a look from the West.
Several CVLWT variants have already been developed, the most well-known of which is the CAT product, also referred to as ATT. It is designed to destroy incoming torpedoes, crashing into them or destroying an explosion of a warhead. The sonar, capable of operating in both active and passive modes, interacts with the IMU inertial measurement unit, which allows the torpedo to perform more precise movements, increasing maneuverability and accuracy.
The versatility of the new ATT CRAW modification lies in the ability to carry out offensive actions, in particular, attack small targets, such as unmanned surface or underwater vehicles. Theoretically, anti-torpedoes of this type can be loaded into launchers of submarines designed for firing Tomahawks. A swarm of anti-torpedoes launched from here will make it possible to suppress the defense of large pennants of the enemy fleet.
There is a possibility that the Navy can use CRAW to conduct underwater mining. In this case, due to the small dimensions of the product, it becomes more difficult for the enemy to detect the danger, it becomes possible to create more extensive minefields.
- sums up the specified edition.
In the fiscal year's request for the US Navy's 2020 fiscal year, the “Anti-torpedo Compact Program weapons rapid attack (ATT CRAW) "in light of the ability to connect this product to the AN / BYG-1 control system. The latter plans to equip promising submarine cruisers with ballistic missiles of the Columbia class, multi-purpose submarines of the Virginia type (Block IV and V modifications), as well as future Australian diesel-electric submarines of the Ataka class.
Work on small-sized anti-torpedo has been underway for more than ten years as part of the CVLWT project. Its core is a “frame” on which warheads can be placed and, depending on the combat mission, various systems optimized for certain functions. The power supply system works by immersing lithium in gaseous sulfur hexafluoride, which leads to a violent chemical reaction, which, in turn, generates steam that drives the turbine engine. This mechanism allows the torpedo to perform accelerated acceleration.
With a 6 ¾ inch diameter (approx. 170 mm) and a length of about 85 inches (2160 mm), the CVLWT is significantly smaller than the latest versions of the Mk 48 heavy torpedo, which is now the standard weapon of this type for US Navy submarines. Mk 48 have a diameter of about 21 inches and a length of 228 inches. The typical weight of a mini-torpedo, about 220 pounds (100 kg), is also more than 16 times lighter than its heavy counterpart.
So we are really talking about a tiny torpedo.
- a look from the West.
Several CVLWT variants have already been developed, the most well-known of which is the CAT product, also referred to as ATT. It is designed to destroy incoming torpedoes, crashing into them or destroying an explosion of a warhead. The sonar, capable of operating in both active and passive modes, interacts with the IMU inertial measurement unit, which allows the torpedo to perform more precise movements, increasing maneuverability and accuracy.
The versatility of the new ATT CRAW modification lies in the ability to carry out offensive actions, in particular, attack small targets, such as unmanned surface or underwater vehicles. Theoretically, anti-torpedoes of this type can be loaded into launchers of submarines designed for firing Tomahawks. A swarm of anti-torpedoes launched from here will make it possible to suppress the defense of large pennants of the enemy fleet.
There is a possibility that the Navy can use CRAW to conduct underwater mining. In this case, due to the small dimensions of the product, it becomes more difficult for the enemy to detect the danger, it becomes possible to create more extensive minefields.
The multipurpose nature of the mini-torpedo can transform the concept of submarine warfare of the Navy [...] This revolutionary ability may well become a reality in the next few years.
- sums up the specified edition.
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