DM2A4: Successful final tests with German and Italian Type 212A SSKs

[kato]

Final system integration firings with the DM 2 A4 - SEAHAKE mod 4, ATLAS Elektronik's new heavy weight torpedo, were conducted when the Italian 212 A class SCIRE and her German sister boat U-33 proved their perfect interoperability in September off Taranto in Southern Italy.

At present, the two Italian 212 A's are armed with the A-184 heavy weight torpedo and will supposedly receive the still to be introduced "BLACK SHARK" from WASS. Since both the German and Italian sister boats are equipped with Kongsberg's Basic Command and Weapons Control System MSI 90 U and ATLAS's sonar suites, problems with SCIRE's first time launching of the optically-guided German high performance torpedo were not expected - and did not occur. For the Italian Navy, this was a convincing proof that the German partners and their technology can be relied upon to complete the task.

Up till 25 September, U-33 carried on with a series of open range firings on high speed targets like MAESTRALE class frigates and auxiliaries provided by the host navy. This demonstrated the enormous capabilities of the fuel-cell powered 212 A class in combination with its new torpedo, especially when firing a salvo of four torpedoes simultaneously on four different targets ending in successful hit of each target. The superb weather and the relatively low traffic intensity in Tarento Bay allowed the commanding officer to fully exploit the - relative to the predecessor weapon - dramatically increased speed and range of the DM 2 A4.

The firings were supported by a mobile team of torpedo experts from the civilian "Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons" (WTD 71), and their auxiliary ship KRONSORT, based in Eckernfoerde, Germany. Almost 2,000 miles away from home, they demonstrated dedication and professionalism to both Italian and German submariners and did their utmost to bring about success.

(source)

Interesting that they tested it from an Italian submarine as well. And results look pretty good.

Info:

DM2A4 heavyweight torpedo

Manufacturer: STN Atlas Elektronik
Target Spectrum: Multipurpose surface/subsurface
Size: 1370 kg, 533mm diameter, 6.6m length (German standard version)
Range: > 27 nm (50 km)
Speed: > 50 knots (90 km/h)
Depth: maximum 300m official
Warhead: 255 kg HE
Guidance: fibre-optic cable for remote guidance (ECM-resistant); wake-homing sonar; active sonar; onboard re-attack capability

Uses Permasyn motor (275 kW; similar system to main engine on U212A) for silent propulsion. UUV version for reconnaissance (with sensor payload) is planned.

And because it's rare to hear of them:

Y861 Kronsort

Weapon Trials Support Ship (Picture)

Operator: BWB WTD 71
Displacement: 850 tons
Dimensions: 56.5 x 10.8 x 3.7 meters

Officially classified "Multi-purpose Boat" (MZB). Carries extensive sensor suite for trials support. Part of the WTD71 ("Technical Department: Ships and Naval Weapons") trials fleet of eight "research ships" (which includes the two large NATO research ships). Modernized 2005 at TKMS Nobiskrug shipyard.

 

[tphuang]

(source)

Interesting that they tested it from an Italian submarine as well. And results look pretty good.

Info:

DM2A4 heavyweight torpedo

Manufacturer: STN Atlas Elektronik
Target Spectrum: Multipurpose surface/subsurface
Size: 1370 kg, 533mm diameter, 6.6m length (German standard version)
Range: > 27 nm (50 km)
Speed: > 50 knots (90 km/h)
Depth: maximum 300m official
Warhead: 255 kg HE
Guidance: fibre-optic cable for remote guidance (ECM-resistant); wake-homing sonar; active sonar; onboard re-attack capability

Uses Permasyn motor (275 kW; similar system to main engine on U212A) for silent propulsion. UUV version for reconnaissance (with sensor payload) is planned.

And because it's rare to hear of them:

Y861 Kronsort

Weapon Trials Support Ship (Picture)

Operator: BWB WTD 71
Displacement: 850 tons
Dimensions: 56.5 x 10.8 x 3.7 meters

Officially classified "Multi-purpose Boat" (MZB). Carries extensive sensor suite for trials support. Part of the WTD71 ("Technical Department: Ships and Naval Weapons") trials fleet of eight "research ships" (which includes the two large NATO research ships). Modernized 2005 at TKMS Nobiskrug shipyard.

that sounds great, but what are those range and speed measured under. For example, what's the range at 50 knots?

 

[kato]

that sounds great, but what are those range and speed measured under. For example, what's the range at 50 knots?

The torpedo doesn't always run at the same speed of course. Usually a medium-speed transit is used, followed by a high-speed intercept. Range for that has been variably claimed 50-60 km (i'm just taking the lower limit). Claimed upper limit (by batteries) is 90 km.
Supposed high/high range is between 30 and 45 km, i'd estimate from some claims made by the BWB.

The ">50 knots" are top speed. The torpedo isn't supposed to be fast (there are faster torpedoes after all), it's supposed to be stealthy enough to not be picked up on before it hits the intercept phase somewhere dozens of km out from the (stealthy) launching sub.

 

[contedicavour]

Good news. The Italian Navy is pushing like crazy to have Blackshark operational ASAP, but we are still stuck with high inventories of A184 and in times of reduced budgets we can't just throw them away and replace them all with the new torpedoes At least in case of an emergency we would put the new ones in. The 3rd and 4th U212A now being ordered are supposed to use indifferently A184 and Blackshark.

cheers

 

[kato]

we are still stuck with high inventories of A184 and in times of reduced budgets we can't just throw them away and replace them all with the new torpedoes

Hmm, Germany did just that with the Kormoran 1 missiles a few years ago. Well, not throw them away - but arrange a little maneuver in South Africa, and fire off 50-60 missiles

 

[swerve]

Hmm, Germany did just that with the Kormoran 1 missiles a few years ago. Well, not throw them away - but arrange a little maneuver in South Africa, and fire off 50-60 missiles

And how many missiles did that leave that weren't time-expired, needing expensive refurbishment to be usable? Too few to be worth keeping in inventory, by any chance?

 

[kato]

And how many missiles did that leave that weren't time-expired, needing expensive refurbishment to be usable? Too few to be worth keeping in inventory, by any chance?

Next to zero of course

Well, they had to get rid of them somehow. Like that one ship's captain in TF150 once said: "Hey, the ammo is 20 years old. It's cheaper dumping it in the Indian Ocean than scrapping it in Germany, and we're getting some exercise out of it."

 

[contedicavour]

Next to zero of course

Well, they had to get rid of them somehow. Like that one ship's captain in TF150 once said: "Hey, the ammo is 20 years old. It's cheaper dumping it in the Indian Ocean than scrapping it in Germany, and we're getting some exercise out of it."

Yeah right but shooting off tens of heavy torpedoes means finding quite a bunch of old ships to sink Besides with our politicians if we aren't careful we end up with too few Blacksharks to equip our SSKs for one volley

cheers