F21 (torpedo)
Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The F21 is a heavy-weight torpedo developed by Naval Group for the French Navy to replace the F17 torpedo.
| F21 torpedo | |
|---|---|
| Type | Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo |
| Place of origin | France Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2018-present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Naval Group Thales Atlas Elektronik |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,550 kg (3,420 lb) |
| Length | 6.0 m (19.7 ft) |
| Diameter | 533 mm (21.0 in) |
| Effective firing range | 50 km (31 mi; 27 nmi) |
| Warhead weight | 200 kg (440 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Proximity fuze |
| Engine | Electric |
Operational range | 57 km (31 nmi) |
| Maximum depth | 10 to 600 m (33 to 1,969 ft) |
| Maximum speed | 93 km/h (50 kn; 58 mph) |
Guidance system | Wire-guided, acoustic homing |
Launch platform | Submarine |
It is designed to neutralize enemy ships and submarines and capable of operating in deep waters and near coastal areas with high levels of noise and dense shipping.[1][2][3]
It is planned to gradually equip all French submarines, starting in 2018. The contract includes the development and delivery of about one hundred F21 torpedoes and their integration into French submarines. [2][4] Naval Group delivered a batch of six torpedoes to the French Navy in November 2019. It has also been selected for the Brazilian Navy with the first batch handed over in January 2020.[citation needed] On 16 June 2026 the Dutch Ministry of Defence and Naval Group signed a contract for the supply of F21 Mk2 heavyweight torpedoes to equip the future Orka-class submarines of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).[5][6] As a result of this contract, the RNLN will become the first SSK fleet within NATO to operate the F21 torpedo.[7]
History
Concept
The F21 was to be a development version of the Italian Black Shark torpedo. In 2008 France signed a development contract for 93 heavy torpedoes for its nuclear submarines, to be delivered from 2015.[8] The original plan called for a derivative of the Black Shark to be built by a joint venture between DCNS, Thales and WASS,[9] but they fell out and DCNS will now be developing the F21 Artemis with Thales and Atlas Electronic.[8] The F21 shares similarities with the Black Shark, including an electric motor driven by an aluminium silver-oxide (AgO-Al) battery. and a contra-rotating propeller[10] It has a warhead of PBX B2211, range of 50 km (31 mi) and speed of 50 knots (93 km/h).[11] As of 2012[update] the project has a €485m budget with a unit cost of €2.3m (FY12), or €5.2m including development costs.[8]
Qualification
The F21 was first tested on DCNS's Pégase catamaran in February 2013 and a submarine launch was planned for 2014, with production deliveries scheduled to start in late 2015.[12] Qualification testing began in 2016, and were completed in June 2017 off the coast of Var.[4]
Operators
Current operators
France- The torpedoes are used with:
Brazil- The torpedoes are used with:
- Conventional Riachuelo-class submarine (Brazilian variant of the Scorpène-class submarine)
- Nuclear Riachuelo-class submarine (Brazilian variant of the Scorpène-class submarine)
Future operators
Netherlands- The F21 Mk2 torpedoes will be used with:
