Posted on 05/16/2012 10:08:04 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
ATLAS ELEKTRONIK sets new range record for Torpedoes, reaching more than 140 Km
ATLAS ELEKTRONIK has increased the reach of its torpedoes substantially, setting a new range record for torpedoes. At a test-firing in March 2012, the heavyweight torpedo SeaHake® mod4 ER (Extended Range) achieved a range of over 140 kilometres.
SeaHake® mod 4 is the latest advancement of the DM 2 A4 heavyweight torpedo, which is in service with the German Navy as well as the navies of Turkey, Pakistan and Spain. By fully exploiting the system’s unique propulsion and battery technology, it became possible to surpass the maximum ranges usual for modern heavyweight torpedoes in the global market by considerably more than 50%.
“With this record, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK has set a new benchmark in torpedo technology. Until now, such ranges were hardly even conceivable. We are very proud to have made such a significant advance in torpedo technology, thus giving our customers new possibilities for sea defence,” said Kai Pelzer, Executive Director Naval Weapons at ATLAS ELEKTRONIK.
SeaHake mod4 ER on display at ATLAS show room (picture: Atlas Elektronik)
The new version of the SeaHake® mod4 is also fitted with innovative navigation and communications technology, enabling extremely precise navigation and control of the torpedo over the entire distance. The SeaHake® mod4 ER can be deployed from seagoing platforms as well as from special land-based platforms.
The sea trials took place in cooperation with the German Armed Forces Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons in the Eckernförde Bay.
Wow, that is 75.6 nautical miles.
Don’t think that sucker would fit in *Das Boot*.
A modern day “Long Lance” torp.
Speed over that distance?
I would have to suppose that something this sophisticated would have to have some vulnerabilities.
Good question. Regardless of speed it would need an electronic system that could acquire the target after launch. I would suspect that its system would have an alogrithm that would predict where its target would be after x number of minutes of flight prior to reentry into the ocean. I am assuming that this is a "subroc" i.e. launched as a torpedo rocket that fly to the target area and then becomes an independent torpedo that will seek its target.
In the real world of naval combat assuming nuclear combat, if you can see it or hear it, it will die within hours if not minutes.
Way down range.
According to the brochure, it is a pure torpedo; it does not leave the water during any phase of attack, nor can it be air-launched. The weapon can be fully autonomous, having its own sonar for target acquisition, or manually guided via fiber-optic cable. The extended range is achieved by stacking batteries.
!
How about another ship crossing its path?
I don’t know for sure, however, the picture shows a yellow plug on top which could mean satellite navigation capabilites. If this is so, then the torp needs to run shallow to acquire said satellites.
There are a lot of military equipment that looks good on paper, but, when used in actual combat, it comes up wanting.
The Navy had the ELF program to call subs at depth to come near the surface to receive satcomms.
It’s hard to figure out just how useful this would be with some nav info.
About 1/4 along the top half of the pic, is that a telescoping snorkel?
If so, the range would be no great feat: batteries(mentioned) and a small air flask, with the remaining(normally air flask) room used for fuel. More Fuel = more range. Simple really.
It would also have to cruise VERY shallow.
And 86 regular miles.
It doesn’t look like a rocket. My favorite is the Subroc. Launched underwater,30 mile range, 5-250kt (by some public sources which vary) warhead, and Mach 2 speed.
It would seem that Subroc is the ultimate naval (nuclear) weapon.
“About 1/4 along the top half of the pic, is that a telescoping snorkel?”
Prob GPS antenna.
They used to say that Subroc had a PK of “2.” Target .... and launcher.
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