APR-3E torpedo

Last updated
APR-3E
TypeLightweight torpedo
Place of originRussia
Service history
Used by Russian Navy
People's Liberation Army Navy
Production history
Manufacturer Tactical Missiles Corporation
Specifications
Mass525 kg (1,157 lb)
(another 25 kg for accessory for aircraft deployment)
Length3.685 m (12.09 ft)
Diameter350 mm (14 in)

Warhead weight74 kg (163 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
Impact and proximity fuze

EngineRocket-powered turbo-waterjet
Propellant Solid fuel
Operational
range
>3 km (1.6 nmi)
Maximum depth540 m (1,770 ft)
Maximum speed >56  kn (103.7  km/h; 64.4  mph)
Guidance
system
Acoustic homing
Launch
platform

The APR-3E airborne light ASW acoustic homing torpedo is designed by Russian Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC to engage current and future submarines at depth from the surface down to 800 metres at speed of up to 43+ knots, and it is a replacement for earlier APR-2 light antisubmarine acoustic homing torpedo.

Contents

APR-3E airborne light antisubmarine acoustic homing torpedo is designed to be carried by a various fixed wing and rotary wing platforms including Tu-142, Il-38, Ka-28 and other aircraft. The torpedo requires at least 100 metres depth of water for the initial air-drop and can be deployed in conditions up to sea state 6.

Once entering water, the control surfaces of the torpedo enable the torpedo to travel in a spiral path with the help of gravity without starting the engine. During this stage, the acoustic seeker of the torpedo searches for targets. Once the target is identified, the engine starts and solid propellant rocket engine ensures the target has virtually very little or no time to react, thus increasing the kill probability.

Newest version of this torpedo is the APR-3M, with modified characteristics. Trials of the APR-3M missile have been completed, the process of its serial production has been organized and its deliveries to the Ministry of Defence of Russia are underway as of May 2019. [1]

Users: Russia purchased a small number of APR-3 for its navy, while China was reported to be the first export customer when APR-3E was part of the Chinese Be-200 ASW aircraft purchase package.

Specifications

See also

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