Black Shark torpedo

Black Shark
Indonesian navy submarine KRI Alugoro during a torpedo loading-unloading training exercise, handling a Black Shark heavyweight torpedo.
Type	Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	2004–present
Production history
Manufacturer	Leonardo
Specifications
Length	6.3 m (21 ft)
Diameter	533 mm (21.0 in)
Effective firing range	50 km (27 nmi)
Warhead	High explosive STANAG 4439 and MURAT-2 compliant
Warhead weight	~350 kg
Detonation mechanism	Various
Engine	Contra-rotating direct-drive brushless motor
Propellant	Al-AgO battery
Maximum speed	50 knots (93 km/h) (unclassified)
Launch platform	Submarine

The Black Shark is a heavyweight torpedo developed by WASS Submarine Systems of Italy.

Development

WASS (previously Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei) developed the Black Shark torpedo as an evolution of the A184, with more advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) abilities and sonar. The advancements in electric motor design and battery allowed an increase in both range and speed. ^[1]

Features

The Black Shark torpedo offers fiberoptic wire for increased bandwidth and signal processing ability compared to copper wire-guided torpedo types. The sonar capability include non-doppler shifted target discrimination and multi-frequency capability that features advanced spatial and angular analysis abilities. ^[2] The design goal for the torpedo was 300% improvement of passive acquisition and 200% active acquisition with its sonar system. ^[3] The brushless motor design coupled with the aluminum-silver oxide (Al-AgO) battery gives the system a top speed 50+ knots (93+ km/h; 58+ mph), and a range of 50 km (27 nmi; 31 mi), performance envelope. ^[1] Like all other battery powered HWTs, the battery power system does not suffer the loss of performance of Otto fuel II types at greater depths since there is no exhaust to deal with at greater pressures. The result is a 150% improvement in speed and 200% in torpedo endurance. ^[3]

NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced

Meanwhile, in Italy, WASS is developing NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced), new future torpedo for the Italian Navy as result of government program A/R SMD 1/2010 ^[4] for development new BSA torpedoes for 87.5 million euros, within 2020:

• On 12 January 2014, first test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè ^[5]
• On 19 June 2014, second test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè ^[6]

BSA will arm Italian Todaro-class submarines, with about 80 torpedoes expected.

NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced will be on board new Italian Navy PPA vessels (Full version), with two launchers under the flight deck. Warhead weight = 350/400 kg.

Users

  Chilean Navy

• O'Higgins class (100 in 2003) ^[7]
• Thompson class

  Ecuadorian Navy

• Shiri class (16 in 2012 for 24.6 million euros) ^[8]

  Indonesian Navy

• Nagapasa class (29 in 2019) ^[9]

  Italian Navy

• Todaro class - all batches (BSA - Black Shark Advanced -; planned about 80 torpedoes for 4 U212A)

  Royal Malaysian Navy

• Tunku Abdul Rahman class (30 in 2003 for 90 million euros) ^{[10] [11] [12]}

  Portuguese Navy

• Tridente class (24 in 2005 for 47 million euros) ^{[13] [14]}

  Republic of Singapore Navy

• Archer class (50 in 2012) ^[15]

See also

• DM2A4 Seehecht - German torpedo
• F21 French torpedo
• Mark 48 - US torpedo
• Spearfish - British torpedo
• Varunastra - Indian torpedo
• Yu-6 - Chinese torpedo
• A184 - previous Italian heavy torpedo

References

1. "Submarine Orders Are a Boon for Torpedo Market". Aviationweek.com. Retrieved 29 May 2011.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
2. "Black shark" (PDF). WASS. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
3. "A184/Black Shark (Italy)". Naval Weapon Systems. Jane's. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
4. "Camera dei deputati Dossier DI0272_0". documenti.camera.it.
5. "Primo lancio del Black Shark Advanced da sommergibile - DETTAGLIO - WASS". Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
6. "Secondo Lancio BSA - DETTAGLIO - WASS". Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
7. "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
8. "Detalle de Contratos Institucionales" (PDF) (in Spanish). Ministry of Defence (Ecuador). 4 April 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
9. Indonesia, C. N. N. "Kapal Selam Alugoro, KRI TNI AL Usung Torpedo Generasi Baru". teknologi.
10. "'Banche armate': Attenzione alle estere, orizzonte Ue / Notizie / Home - Unimondo". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
11. "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
12. "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Janes.com.
13. "Due aprile: Pacifisti in piazza col "conto armato"? / Notizie / Home - Unimondo". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
14. "Borsa Italiana: sito ufficiale della Borsa di Milano - Borsa Italiana" (PDF). www.borsaitaliana.it.
15. "Singapore Submarine Capabilities | NTI". www.nti.org.

External links

• BLACK SHARK page on Leonardocompany.com