Torpedo WASS Black Shark (Italy)

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At the beginning of the last decade, the Italian company WASS (a division of Finmeccanica holding) presented its new heavy-duty Black Shark torpedo. This development has attracted the attention of foreign naval forces, with the result that contracts for the supply of new weapons. Black Shark torpedoes were delivered to six countries. Now WASS specialists are working on a new modification of these weapons with higher characteristics.



New heavy torpedo Black Shark ("Black Shark") was created as a modern armament for submarines of various classes. In developing this product, the most advanced components and technologies were used, with the help of which it was planned to ensure the continued operation of the new torpedo. It was argued that the new torpedo would be able to maintain acceptable performance over the next 30 years. It was noted that the Black Shark can be used on modern submarines of various types, equipped with torpedo tubes of caliber 533 mm.

The project Black Shark was developed by order of the Italian Navy. Nevertheless, the Italian fleet, which took an active part in the development of a new weapon, is not yet using it. The order of the Italian Navy relates to an upgraded version of the torpedo currently under development. The first batch of updated weapons will be delivered to the customer only at the end of the current decade.

One of the main objectives of the project was to ensure maximum flexibility in the use of promising torpedoes. According to the developer, the Black Shark product can be used to attack surface and underwater targets in a wide range of depths, including in the coastal zone. The dimensions of the torpedo are determined taking into account the capabilities of modern torpedo tubes, which allows its use on various types of submarines. Also, to increase the number of potential carriers, the torpedo uses a standard interface for communication with the onboard equipment of the carrier.

Torpedo Black Shark received a modern homing system, as well as remote control equipment. Independent detection of various targets or command guidance on the target chosen by the operator is provided. Due to the hull shape and shape of the propeller was able to significantly reduce the noise level. It is argued that the detection of Black Shark torpedoes by existing means is an extremely difficult task.

The WASS Black Shark product has a total length of 6,3 m. The case diameter is 533 mm. Externally, the torpedo is no different from other modern weapons of this class. All units are located inside the cylindrical housing. In the forward part of the hull there is a fairing with a characteristic flat head, in the tail part there is a conical fairing with a stabilizer and a propeller. Ready-to-use torpedo weight - 1200 kg.

As a source of energy in the torpedo "Black Shark" are used batteries based on aluminum and silver oxide. They supply electricity to both the undercarriage engine and the guidance equipment. The capabilities of the used batteries allow the electric motor to accelerate the torpedo to 50 nodes and provide a range of up to 50 km. An important feature of electrical systems is their high resource. Used batteries allow you to store ammunition for 12 years. The propulsion motor drives the propeller of a special shape that reduces the noise produced.



To hit a target, the Black Shark torpedo is equipped with a high-explosive warhead. The weight of the explosive charge is classified.

Target search and targeting should be carried out with the help of control equipment capable of operating automatically and at the operator’s commands. ASTRA Acoustic Guidance (Advanced Sonar Transmitting and Receiving Architecture) can work in both active and passive modes. In the passive mode, the automatics of the torpedo monitors the surrounding space and searches for targets for the noise they produce. Declared the possibility of accurate determination of target noise and resistance to interference.

In active mode, the guidance system emits an acoustic signal, the reflection of which determines the distance to various objects, including the target. As in the case of the passive channel, measures have been taken to filter out interference, echo, etc.

To enhance the combat performance and the likelihood of hitting complex targets, the Black Shark torpedo has a command and control system. If necessary, the operator of the complex can take control and adjust the torpedo's trajectory. Thanks to this, a torpedo can be not only aimed at a target with greater accuracy, but also re-targeted after launching at another enemy object.

Of great interest is not only the purpose, but also the design of the remote control system. After launch, the torpedo connects to the carrier using a fiber optic cable. The latter is stored and unwound from a reel placed in a torpedo tube before firing. In this way, it was possible to provide the ability to control the torpedo, as well as to keep its dimensions at an acceptable level, without including in the design a large and heavy coil with a cable.

In 2003, WASS received the first orders for the supply of new weapons. The first customers of the Black Shark torpedoes were the Navy of Chile and Malaysia. Chileans ordered 100 torpedoes of a new type, Malaysians ordered 30 products. Soon the Italian company signed contracts for the supply of new weapons to Portugal, Singapore and Ecuador.

In 2008, WASS began working with the French company DCNS, aimed at creating a new ammunition for the naval forces. With the 2015, deliveries should begin, during which the French Navy plans to get the 93 new torpedoes, designated F21. Initially it was assumed that the Italian and French companies would take the Black Shark product as a basis and make some amendments to its design. However, in the future the composition of the developers of the F21 project has undergone major changes. DCNS remained the lead contractor, but now it cooperates with Atlas Elektronik and Thales. The F21 project has now reached the test stage of experienced torpedoes. Start of mass production of torpedoes is scheduled for the end of 2015 year.

By order of the Italian naval forces, a modernized version of the Black Shark is being developed under the name BSA (Black Shark Advanced - “Advanced Black Shark”) or NSP (Nuovo Siluro Pesante - “New Heavy Torpedo”). The aim of the project is to further improve performance. naval weapons with the help of new units and technologies. In particular, the BSA / NSP torpedo should be equipped with lithium-polymer batteries, providing higher driving characteristics. It is also planned to update and improve the guidance system.

28 January 2014, the WASS company specialists together with the military conducted the first test launch of a BSA / NSP torpedo. The submarine S527 Scirè type Todaro (German project “Type 212”) was used as a platform for testing. During the first launch, the torpedo successfully exited the torpedo tube and launched its engine. 19 June was the second test run, during which the power plant was again tested. In addition, this time the experts were studying the work of the guidance system.

Work on the BSA / NSP project will go on over the next few years. The existing contract involves the delivery of a batch of new torpedoes to 2020 year. By this date, the Italian Navy intends to receive 80 BSA / NSP products. In the future, you may receive a new contract for the supply of an additional batch of torpedoes. In addition, it should wait for the appearance of orders from some foreign countries. The compatibility of Black Shark torpedoes with various types of submarines allows the Italian company to hope for new contracts.







On the materials of the sites:
http://wass.it/
http://finmeccanica.com/
http://naval-technology.com/
http://navyrecognition.com/
http://en.dcnsgroup.com/
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  1. Gift
    0
    23 January 2015 06: 48
    Indonesia and Chile - these will shoot on occasion ... "So this is what you are - Reindeer ...".
  2. 0
    23 January 2015 08: 24
    Judging by the characteristics of the torpedo is excellent! It would be nice to "stir up" this for our designers to study!
    1. +1
      23 January 2015 11: 53
      TEST last characteristics close.
      1. gjv
        0
        17 February 2015 19: 14
        TEST-71, TE-2
      2. The comment was deleted.
  3. 0
    23 January 2015 10: 44
    Characteristics are normal! But the control cable is too thick to drag and rotate it. And how to do a snake?
  4. +2
    23 January 2015 18: 36
    If the Italians made it the same way as the technological equipment for the prom. production, then this torpedo at a crucial moment can undermine the one who launched it ... And according to the characteristics - yes, good.
  5. Dudu
    +1
    23 January 2015 19: 29
    TTD I do not believe. Something there is a lie about the range and speed, especially looking at such a coil. And the meaning of remote control at a distance of over 20 km? What can the operator see there (I'm not marine, because I don’t know what they’ve come up with now)?
    I suspect that the range is indicated at the minimum current consumption, and the speed at the maximum, but the minimum range. Something like that, knowing the advertising offers of the Zapadrons.

    Battles are won on the battlefield, and lost in diplomatic cabinets.
  6. +2
    24 January 2015 01: 09
    Something I do not believe in cable management for 20 km. Batteries are new, you need to google them. Once on batteries - a torpedo "without a trace".
    And it can work in depth. In general, a strong weapon, although the performance characteristics are too "sweet". God grant that they do not have to be tested in practice.
  7. +1
    24 January 2015 07: 42
    With fiber-optic cable, something is not clear, judging by its diameter and the size of the drum, the length is not great ...
    1. gjv
      0
      17 February 2015 19: 55
      Quote: Eugene 1475
      But the control cable is too thick to drag and rotate it. And how to do a snake?

      Quote: Dudu
      TTD I do not believe. Something there is a lie about the range and speed, especially looking at such a coil. And the meaning of remote control at a distance of over 20 km? What can the operator see there (I’m not marine, because I don’t know what I’ve come up with now)? I suspect that the range is indicated at the minimum current consumption, and the speed at maximum, but minimum range. Something like that, knowing the advertising offers of the Zapadrons.

      Quote: Mountain Shooter
      Something I can not believe in cable management for 20 km.

      Quote: Bayonet
      With fiber optic cable, something is not clear, judging by its diameter and the size of the drum, the length is not large

      The article indicates the maximum range of the torpedo 50 km and the maximum possible speed of 50 knots. And nothing concrete about the distance of active and passive guidance. There may be a confusion in the interpretation of various sources. Rather, talk about the radius of the telecontrol zone and the radius of the homing zone. This coil is fired with a torpedo, detached and towed by a boat (after the torpedo, after) on this thick armored cable (length 20-50 m). And a thin cable of large length is unwound from the coil behind the torpedo (even inside the torpedo there may be an additional coil). The length of this thin cable (+ boat travel) determines the telecontrol zone (20 - 30 km). If the attacked target changes course or begins to maneuver, then after determining the new data to the target by means of the carrier boat, the torpedoes are adjusted by cable for the course and depth to the target being attacked. The telecontrol complex through the wire provides, in a difficult jamming environment, the output of a torpedo to a target in the coverage area of ​​a homing system and takes into account all changes in target behavior. With the exit of a torpedo into the range of the homing system (approx. 1 km), its sonar equipment searches for and captures the target being attacked and controls the rudders in course and depth, providing the torpedo to hit the target. As soon as a torpedo enters the zone of operation of a non-contact fuse, the warhead’s charge is undermined and the target is hit. Usually in the telecontrol zone, the speed of the torpedo is less to hide the noises of attack (and so that the boat has time). After entering the homing zone, the maximum speed is turned on.
    2. The comment was deleted.
  8. +1
    April 25 2015 11: 00
    Slightly surprised by the technology of loading torpedoes on board the submarine, too many manipulations in preparation for the loading process: remove the skin of the light hull (120-150 bolts judging in the photo), install and center the bulky frame with a winch After loading, bring everything back to its original position. Long .... On "my" project (641B), all structural elements for loading torpedoes are integrated into the structure of the boat itself, which significantly increases the speed of loading ammunition, especially outside the base.

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