Torped 47
Lightweight ASW torpedo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Torped 47 or SLWT (Saab’s Lightweight Torpedo) is a new lightweight torpedo intended for ASW and surface targets, providing multiple-target active/passive homing combined with wire guidance. It is designed and manufactured by Saab Dynamics as a replacement for the Torped 45.[2]
| Torped 47 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Lightweight ASW torpedo |
| Place of origin | Sweden |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022 |
| Used by | Swedish Navy Finnish Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2015 |
| Manufacturer | Saab Dynamics |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | approx. 340 kg[1] |
| Length | 2,850 mm (112 in) |
| Diameter | 400 mm (16 in) |
| Warhead | IM compliant, omnidirectional, PBX |
| Warhead weight | approx. 50 kg AS(u)W |
| Engine | Electric DC motor with gearbox |
| Drive | Pumpjet |
| Propellant | lithium-based rechargeable battery |
Operational range | ≥20 km (>1h), prepared for ≥50 km |
| Maximum depth | +300 m |
| Maximum speed | +40 kts |
Guidance system | Active and passive (fully digital), prepared for HF. Hydro-acoustic homing combined with galvanic wire/optic fibre guidance and on-board computer |
Launch platform | Stationary, surface vessels, submarines, helicopters and airplanes |
The torpedo is designed for the Swedish Navy and it will be equipped with both a passive and an active homing device and use wire communication like the Torpedo 45, using a galvanic wire (later also an optical wire).[2]
Torpedo 47 can be launched from a variety of platforms including stationary, surface vessels, submarines and helicopters.[3][4] It is specifically designed to operate against littoral submarine targets and surface vessels. It is controlled using wire guidance and has a hydro-acoustic homing system for the final phase. The torpedo has features that are unique for lightweight torpedoes.[2]
Torped 47 was selected by the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 program[5] and will be installed on the Hamina-class during MLU and the new Pohjanmaa-class corvette.[6][7]
In October 2022 Saab delivered the first Torped 47 to the Swedish FMV. Torped 47 was officially delivered to the Swedish Navy in December 2022.[2][8][9]
In November 2023 Torped 47 was delivered to the Finnish Navy with acceptance firings being performed by two Hamina-class fast attack craft following their mid-life upgrade.[10]
Technologies
The torpedo is using a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate battery. For the propulsion, a pumpjet is used, and it replaces the historic contra-rotating propellers. The propulsion enables a wide range of velocity.
Regarding the electronics, it uses a two-ways datalink with the launch platform through a copper wire. It also uses a highly accurate navigation system. And for the homing, detection, classification and tracking of the targets, the MS4 head, which has passive and active capabilities, is being used.[12]
Some parts will be used by the Torped 63, the future heavyweight torpedo of Saab and the Swedish Navy.[12]
Potential upgrades
Saab and the Swedish Navy mentioned several options for a more advanced variant:[12]
- Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide battery as a more energetically dense option. The lithium iron phosphate battery was selected as a low risk short term option, and a more capable battery is an option.
- Changing the torpedo head with a wideband (multi-frequency) acoustic homing head.
- Improvement of the wake homing performance.
- Replacement of the copper wire with a fibre optic cable.
- Widening its capacity to be used as an anti-torpedo torpedo, and an anti-autonomous underwater vehicle.
Variants
Saab is developing a heavy weight torpedo, the Torped 63, based on the technologies of the Torped 47.[13] This development is undertaken in collaboration with the FMV, the Swedish Defence Research Agency and the Swedish Armed Forces
