| SUT torpedo | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Type | Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1980-Present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Atlas Elektronik |
| Variants | Mod 1, Mod 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,419 kilograms (3,128 lb) |
| Diameter | 533 mm |
| Maximum firing range | 30 kilometres (16 nmi) |
| Warhead weight | 259 kilograms (571 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity or contact detonation |
| Engine | Electrical batteries |
| Maximum speed | 35 knots (65 km/h) |
Guidance system | Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar |
The AEG SUT 264 is a German dual-purpose 21 inch heavyweight wire-guided torpedo produced by Atlas Elektronik, which entered service in 1980. [1] [2] [3] The torpedo is primarily produced for export and has been sold to numerous countries. [4] [2]
SUT stands for Surface and Underwater Target. [5] It is a dual-purpose weapon that can be launched from surface ships, submarines, and shore positions. [6]
The SUT Mod 2 has as special feature that it can send additional data, including audio, from the homing head back to the vessel it launched from. [2] It has been compared favorably to the Chinese Yu-4 and Yu-6. [7]
In 1986 Indonesia signed a contract to obtain a license for long-term indigenous production of the SUT torpedo. [1] [2] A production line was set up in Indonesia with the cooperation of the Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Aerospace.[ citation needed ] Taiwan received 200 torpedoes from this production line in 1998. [8]
In 2004 the Chilean Scorpène-class submarine O'Higgins fired a SUT while running at depth during its acceptance tests off Lorient, France. [9]
In 2013 OEM Atlas Elektronik was contracted to upgrade the 64 SUTs remaining in Indian service. [10]
The SUT was the first torpedo fired by the Kalvari-class submarine because of a lack of procurement of planned heavyweight torpedoes. [6] A planned purchase of Black Shark torpedoes fell through because their manufacturer Finmeccanica was blacklisted by the Indian government for procurement corruption. [11]
The SUT was originally procured along with the two Hai Lung-class submarines. [12] The torpedoes were procured from the Indonesian production line. In addition to money Taiwan exchanged landing craft and 100,000 tons of rice for the torpedoes. [3]
On September 4, 2003 a war shot SUT fired by a submarine during the Hankuang No. 19 training exercise broke its control wires and went out of control. The torpedo was recovered four hours later from a Yilan County beach. Representatives of the manufacturer traveled to Taiwan to participate in the incident investigation. [13] On October 8 the Navy tested a second torpedo with satisfactory results. On October 14 the Navy held a full test in Pingtung County, the first torpedo experienced similar problems to the one on September 4 but the issue was resolved and a second torpedo successfully destroyed the target, a decommissioned Yang-class destroyer. [14]
In 2010 the Taiwanese Navy offered a reward to local fishermen for the recovery of a training SUT lost during an exercise. [15] The SUT will be replaced by the Mk 48 torpedo in Taiwanese service. [16]