A Look at Major HWTs & LWTs in NATO Countries & Ongoing Torpedo Programs in Turkey The first true torpedo was invented in 1866 by British engineer Robert WHITEHEAD, based on the ideas of Austrian Navy officer Johann LUPIS. The word 'torpedo' (derived from the word 'torpere,' which means 'to stun' in Latin), was created in 1800 by the American inventor Robert FULTON, who also invented the first steam-powered ship. anchored in Batumi Port. by numerous surface vessels, operator can achieve at least by İbrahim SÜNNETÇİ Thus, İntibah went down in Maritime Patrol Aircraft a 95% hit probability. history as the first ship sunk (MPA), and Anti-Submarine Since their first use during by a self-propelled torpedo. Warfare (ASW) Helicopters The size of the global the Russo-Turkish War of Even the emergence of to defend against enemy torpedo market in 2018 1877-78, torpedoes have Anti-Ship Guided Missiles submarines. In the past, was US$805.3 Million, proven to be one of the most (ASMs) could not eliminate torpedoes were not highly and by 2026 this figure is effective and lethal naval the role and importance of accurate weapons, and expected to reach US$1.114 weapons. During the war, torpedoes. their maneuverability was Billion. On the other hand, (also referred to as the ‘War of limited. Therefore, multiple the global Underwater 93,’ named for the year 1293 Torpedoes can be used torpedoes had to be Unmanned Systems market, in the Islamic calendar) the for both offensive and launched to score a single which was US$2.96 Billion in 381mm diameter Whitehead defensive purposes. Today, hit on the target. However, 2018, is expected to reach Torpedo, launched at a torpedoes are the primary with the advancement of US$7.53 Billion by 2026. distance of about 65m from weapon system of both technology, torpedoes have The size of the Autonomous a torpedo boat under the nuclear and conventional undergone a significant Underwater Vehicles (AUV) command of Russian Vice (diesel/electric) and Air transformation in the last market, which is envisaged Admiral Stepan Osipovich Independent Propulsion two decades. Today, a single to be US$638 million in MAKAROV in January 1878, (AIP) type submarines and wire/fiber optic guided, or 2020, is planned to reach sank the armed cargo some fast attack crafts. fully autonomous torpedo US$1.638 Billion in 2025. ship ‘İntibah,’ which was Torpedoes are also carried launched by a skilled Torpedoes are expected to 28 During White Storm 2016 Exercise, which also included live-fire ship sinking mission, decommissioned Tepe (Ex US Navy Knox) Class Zafer Frigate was used for target practice. Lethal effect of DM2A4 HWT that launched by a GUR Class Submarine on Zafer Frigate highlighted in sequences. The DM2A4 HWT hit the Zafer amidships, breaking her keel and sending her below take the lion's share in the torpedoes are Type 65 also has a 6.05m and Light Torpedoes (LWTs) are Underwater Unmanned (650mm), Test-71M and 1,880kg version that can carried by surface ships, Systems market in the next Test 96, and gas turbine be launched from NATO Maritime Patrol Aircraft ten years. propelled DST-90, DST-92, standard tubes. The first (MPA), and ASW/ASUW and DST-96 models. As of drawings of Russia’s new Helicopters to use against Currently, two main types of October 2019, the major long-range and nuclear- enemy submarines. The torpedoes are used by the 533mm Heavyweight propelled torpedo were surface ships use LWT as world’s Navies: heavyweight Torpedoes used in the accidentally disclosed on offensive and/or defensive (HWT) and lightweight Russian submarine fleet the Russian NTV television antisubmarine weapons. In torpedoes (LWTs). consisting of 58 submarines channel on November 10, western navies, the most Heavyweight Torpedoes of different types and 2015. It is claimed that the common diameter/calibre (HWTs) are carried by tonnages are electrically new Status-6 heavyweight for lightweight torpedoes is submarines for use against propelled Test-71 MKE and torpedo, also known as 324mm (12.75 inches). The both enemy surface vessels UET-1E (replacing USET-80), Poseidon (called Canyon US Mk46 NEARTIP (Mod and enemy submarines. UGST (Universal Deepwater in the USA), will be armed 5) and Mk54 LHT (Light Most HWTs have a diameter Homing Torpedo) powered with a 100-megaton nuclear Hybrid Torpedo) are used of 533mm (21 inches), while by a liquid fuel thermal warhead. The Poseidon/ by the United States Navy some Russian torpedoes propulsion system (gas Status-6 torpedo is also and many other Western have a diameter of 650mm turbine engine) that one of the ‘super weapons’ navies, including the Turkish (25.6 inches). Today’s operates a pump-jet, and introduced to the public Navy. The British lightweight major HWTs are US Mk48 its improved version, the on March 1, 2018, by the torpedo Stingray, the Mod 7 ADCAP and Mk48 UGST-M torpedoes. The President of the Russian 3rd generation MU90/ Mod 7AT, British Spearfish 7.2m and 2,200kg UGST Federation Vladimir PUTIN. IMPACT, and Sweden's New Mod 1 (can reach 80 knots [148km/h] and 50km range), German DM2A4 SeeHecht (exported version SeaHake Mod 4), Italian Black Shark Advanced (BSA), French F21 Artemis and Swedish Type 62 Torpedoes. The main Russian heavyweight SeaHake Mod 4 29 A Mk46 Mod 5A Recoverable Exercise Torpedo (REXTORP) being air launched by a Turkish Navy P235 MPA (tail number TCB653) to hunt a submarine it detected during a naval exercise. The parachute that ensures the nose hits the water first is clearly visible Lightweight Torpedo (NLT, corvettes carrying LWTs are due to the speed of sound with low-frequency passive also known as Torpedsystem operating worldwide. In waves propagating in the sonar listening. Moreover, 47 [TP 47]) are other notable 2008, approximately 385 water. Thus, the probability the Royal Navy (RN)’s Astute lightweight torpedoes on submarines, including 105 of torpedo hitting the target Class nuclear submarines’ the market. Most Russian nuclear and 280 conventional will increase. processing power is claimed ASW torpedoes are 406mm diesel-electric attack to be equivalent to 2,000 (16 inches). Most lightweight submarines, were operating A frigate can detect a laptops or 60,000 home PCs, torpedoes (LWTs) use electric worldwide, this number submerged diesel/electric and the Thales product Sonar motors that are quieter while reached 451 in 2016. Currently, submarine at an average 2076 System can detect the retraining enough reserve it is estimated that around distance of 9.14km via a hull- sounds of other ships 3,000 power to chase the target. 510 submarines operate in mounted sonar at favorable miles away. One of the latest used in different types and tonnages sea conditions and tries to Eurotorp's MU90/Impact around the world. While the engage it with a lightweight Modern torpedoes have LWT is an Atlas Elektronik’s size of the submarine market torpedo at 4.57km (light a much longer range and stepless, variable speed, was US$22.4 Billion in 2019, torpedoes approach their durability, much higher 120kW electric motor. In this figure is expected to target by turning side to speed, more effective this weapon and the BAE reach US$31.3 Billion in 2029. side and following a snake- homing systems, and Systems StingRay, which has like path). During a naval greater lethality than their a 63kW motor, a propulsor Although long-range exercise, one of the ADA Class predecessors from 20 or is used. Some weapons of modern HWTs used in corvettes was able to detect 10 years ago. Torpedoes, slightly earlier design, such submarines have an an AY Class Submarine at a which now have built-in as the Whitehead Alenia average range of 40-50km, distance of 11.4km with its intelligence (guidance Sistemi Subacquei (WASS, a submarine that detects a hull-mounted mid-frequency and control algorithms) a Finmeccanica Company) surface target with its passive YAKAMOS active/passive and re-attack capabilities, A244/S (which uses a DC sonar usually approaches sonar. With its low/medium pose the deadliest threat counter-rotating motor) the target silently and frequency passive sonar, to submarines. Torpedoes, and the Bofors Underwater launches a torpedo from a submarine can detect together with the Anti-Ship Systems (şimdi SAAB) TP a short distance. Because a frigate at favorable sea Cruise Missiles (ASCM), pose 43/TP 45, continue to use whatever the propulsion conditions from a distance the most severe threat to conventional propellers. system (battery, piston of 45.7km and attack it from the large naval warships, American lightweight engine, or gas turbine) of a much further distance especially those operating torpedoes not only use the torpedoes, the propeller (effective range of LWT) in littoral waters. They are propellers but also have creates a specific sound in through its long-range also highly effective weapon propulsion systems based the water, and this sound modern heavyweight against merchant vessels. upon high-energy chemical wave is either way detected torpedoes such as the While the role of torpedoes reactions, a hangover from by the sensors on the target DM2A4 or Mk48 Mod 6AT in the surface versus surface the Cold War. In this context, ship. If the torpedo is fired at (unlike lightweight torpedoes, ship engagement has been Raytheon Technologies close range, there will not be heavyweight torpedoes significantly reduced, they Mk46 and Mk54 LWTs uses enough time for the vessel approach their target on a remain the most effective Otto II fuel and a five-cylinder to use countermeasures straight path). The GÜR Class weapon in anti-submarine motor. and perform avoidance diesel/electric submarines warfare (ASW).