About the appearance of modern submarine torpedoes. Modern torpedo: what is and what will be What does a submarine torpedo consist of?
What are sea mines and torpedoes? How are they structured and what are the principles of their operation? Are mines and torpedoes now the same formidable weapons as during past wars?
All this is explained in the brochure.
It is written based on materials from open domestic and foreign press, and issues of the use and development of mine and torpedo weapons are presented according to the views of foreign experts.
The book is addressed to a wide range of readers, especially young people preparing for service in the USSR Navy.
Torpedoes of our days
Torpedoes of our days
Foreign navies are now armed with torpedoes various types. They are classified depending on what charge is contained in the warhead - nuclear or conventional explosive. Torpedoes also differ in the type of power plants, which can be steam-gas, electric or jet.
By overall weight characteristics American torpedoes are divided into two main categories: heavy - with a caliber of 482 and 533 mm and small-sized - from 254 to 324 mm.
The torpedoes are also unequal in length. American torpedoes are characterized by a standard length corresponding to the length of torpedo tubes adopted in the US Navy - 6.2 m (in other countries 6.7-7.2). This limits the possibility of storing fuel reserves, and therefore the range of torpedoes.
According to the nature of their maneuvering after firing, torpedoes are linear, maneuvering and homing. Depending on the method of explosion, there are contact and non-contact torpedoes.
Most modern torpedoes are long-range, capable of hitting targets at distances of 20 km or more. The speed of current torpedoes is many times higher than those of the Second World War.
How does a steam-gas torpedo work? It (Fig. 18, a) is a self-propelled and self-controlled steel underwater projectile, cigar-shaped, about 7 m long, which houses complex instruments and a powerful explosive charge. Almost all modern torpedoes consist of four articulated parts: a combat charging compartment; compartments of power kits with a compartment of ballasts or battery compartment; aft section with engine and control devices; tail section with rudders and propellers.
In addition to explosives, the torpedo's combat charging compartment contains fuses and ignition devices.
There are contact and non-contact fuses. Contact fuses (drummers) can be inertial or frontal. They operate when a torpedo hits the side of a ship, causing the needles of the striker to activate the igniter caps. The latter, exploding, ignite the explosive located in the ignition machine. This explosive is a secondary detonator, the action of which causes the explosion of the entire charge located in the charging compartment of the torpedo.
Inertial strikers with ignition cups are inserted into top part combat charging compartment into special sockets (necks). The principle of operation of this striker is based on the inertia of a pendulum, which, deviating from a vertical position, when a torpedo collides with the side of a ship, releases the firing pin, which, in turn, under the action of the mainspring, falls down and pricks the primers with its needles, causing them to ignite.
To prevent an explosion of a loaded torpedo on a firing ship from an accidental shock, shock, explosion near the ship, or from the torpedo hitting the water at the moment of firing, the inertial firing pin has a special safety device that stops the pendulum.
a - steam-gas: 1 - ignition glass; 2 - inertial striker; 3 - shut-off valve; 4 - machine crane; 5 - distance device; 5-car; 7 - trigger; 8- gyroscopic device; 9 - hydrostatic device; 10 - Kerosene tank; 11 - machine regulator;
b - electrical: 1 - explosive; 2 - fuse; 3 - batteries; 4 - electric motors; 5 - starting contactor; 6 - hydrostatic device; 7 - gyroscopic device; 8 - vertical steering wheel; 9 - front screw; 10 - rear screw; 11 - horizontal steering wheel; 12 - compressed air cylinders; 13 - device for burning hydrogen
The safety device is connected to the spinner shaft, which rotates under the influence of the oncoming flow of water. When the torpedo moves, the turntable stops the pendulum, lowering the needles and compressing the mainspring of the firing pin. The striker is brought into firing position only when the torpedo, after being fired, passes 100t-200m in water.
There are many different types of contact torpedo fuses. In some American torpedoes equipped with other types of fuses, the explosion of the torpedo does not occur from the striker striking the igniter primer, but as a result of the closure of the electrical circuit.
The safety device against accidental explosion also consists of a pinwheel. The turntable shaft rotates a DC generator, which produces energy and charges a capacitor that acts as a battery. electrical energy.
At the beginning of the movement, the torpedo is safe - the circuit from the generator to the capacitor is open with the help of a retarder wheel, and the detonator is located inside the safety chamber. When the torpedo has passed a certain part of the path, the rotating shaft of the turntable will lift the detonator from the chamber, the retarder wheel will close the circuit and the generator will begin to charge the capacitor.
The frontal striker is inserted horizontally into the front part of the torpedo's combat charging compartment. When a torpedo hits the side of a ship, the front firing pin, under the action of a spring, punctures the igniter capsule of the primary detonator, which ignites the secondary detonator, and the latter causes an explosion of the entire charge.
In order for an explosion to occur when a torpedo hits a ship, even at an angle, the frontal striker is equipped with several metal levers - “whiskers”, diverging in different directions. When one of the levers touches the side of the ship, the lever moves and releases the firing pin, which pierces the capsule, producing an explosion.
To protect the torpedo from a premature explosion near the firing ship, the firing pin located in the frontal striker is locked with a safety pin. After firing a torpedo, the turntable begins to rotate and will completely lock the firing pin when the torpedo moves some distance from the ship.
The desire to increase the efficiency of torpedoes led to the creation of proximity fuses that could increase the probability of hitting a target and hit ships in the least protected part - the bottom.
The non-contact fuse closes the fuse and fuse circuit of the torpedo not as a result of a dynamic impact (contact with the target, direct impact on the ship), but as a result of the influence of various fields created by the ship on it. These include magnetic, acoustic, hydrodynamic and optical fields.
The depth of travel of a torpedo with a proximity fuse is set so that the fuse fires exactly under the bottom of the target.
Various engines are used to propel the torpedo. Steam-gas torpedoes, for example, are driven by a piston engine running on a mixture of water vapor with combustion products of kerosene or other flammable liquid.
In a steam-gas torpedo, usually in the rear part of the air tank, there is a water compartment in which fresh water is supplied for evaporation into the heating apparatus.
In the aft part of the torpedo, divided into compartments (the American Mk.15 torpedo, for example, has three compartments in the aft part), houses a heating apparatus (combustion chamber), the main engine and mechanisms that control the movement of the torpedo in direction and depth.
The power plant rotates the propellers, which impart forward motion to the torpedo. To avoid a gradual decrease in air pressure due to a leaky seal, the air tank is disconnected from the machine using a special device that has a shut-off valve.
Before firing, the shut-off valve opens and air flows to the machine valve, which is connected to the trigger by special rods.
While the torpedo is moving in the torpedo tube, the trigger is folded back. The machine valve begins to automatically admit air from the air reservoir into the preheater through machine regulators, which maintain the set constant air pressure in the preheater.
Along with the air, kerosene enters the heating apparatus through a nozzle. It is ignited by means of a special ignition device located on the lid of the heating apparatus. This apparatus also receives water to evaporate and reduce the combustion temperature. As a result of the combustion of kerosene and steam formation, a steam-gas mixture is created, which enters the main machine and drives it.
In the aft compartment next to the main engine there is a gyroscope, a hydrostatic apparatus and two steering gears. One of them serves to control the progress of the torpedo in the horizontal plane (holding a given direction) and operates from a gyroscopic device. The second machine is used to control the travel of the torpedo in the vertical plane (holding a given depth) and operates from a hydrostatic apparatus.
The action of the gyroscopic device is based on the property of a rapidly rotating (20-30 thousand rpm) top to maintain in space the direction of the rotation axis obtained at the moment of launch.
The device is launched by compressed air while the torpedo is moving in the torpedo tube. As soon as the fired torpedo for any reason begins to deviate from the direction given to it when fired, the axis of the top, remaining in a constant position in space and acting on the steering wheel spool, shifts the vertical rudders and thereby directs the torpedo in the given direction.
The hydrostatic device, located in the lower part of the torpedo body, operates on the principle of equilibrium of two forces - the pressure of the water column and the spring. From inside the torpedo a spring presses on the disk, the elasticity of which is set before firing depending on the depth at which the torpedo should go, and from the outside there is a column of water.
If the fired torpedo goes at a depth greater than the specified one, then the excess water pressure on the disk is transmitted through a system of levers to the spool of the steering engine that controls the horizontal rudders, which changes the position of the rudders. As a result of shifting the rudders, the torpedo will begin to rise upward. When the torpedo moves above a given depth, the pressure will decrease and the rudders will shift to reverse side. The torpedo will go down.
In the tail section of the torpedo there are propellers mounted on shafts connected to the main engine. There are also four feathers on which vertical and horizontal rudders are attached to control the direction and depth of the torpedo.
Electric torpedoes have become especially widespread in the navies of foreign countries.
Electric torpedoes consist of four main parts: a combat charging compartment, a battery compartment, a stern and a tail section (Fig. 18, b).
The engine of an electric torpedo is an electric motor powered by electrical energy from batteries located in the battery compartment.
An electric torpedo has important advantages compared to a steam-gas torpedo. Firstly, it leaves no visible trace behind itself, which ensures the secrecy of the attack. Secondly, while moving, an electric torpedo is more stable on a given course, since, unlike a steam-gas torpedo, it does not change either its weight or the position of its center of gravity while moving. In addition, the electric torpedo has relatively low noise produced by the engine and instruments, which is especially valuable during an attack.
There are three main ways to use torpedoes. Torpedoes are fired from surface (from surface ships) and underwater (from submarines) torpedo tubes. Torpedoes can also be dropped into the water from the air by airplanes and helicopters.
Fundamentally new is the use of torpedoes as warheads of anti-submarine missiles, which are launched by anti-submarine missile systems installed on surface ships.
A torpedo tube consists of one or more pipes with instruments installed on them (Fig. 19). Surface torpedo tubes can be rotary or fixed. Rotary devices (Fig. 20) are usually mounted in the center plane of the ship on the upper deck. Fixed torpedo tubes, which can also consist of one, two or more torpedo tubes, are usually located inside the ship's superstructure. Recently, on some foreign ships, in particular on modern nuclear torpedo submarines, torpedo tubes are mounted at a certain angle (10°) to the center plane.
This arrangement of torpedo tubes is due to the fact that receiving and emitting hydroacoustic equipment is located in the bow of torpedo submarines.
An underwater torpedo tube is similar to a fixed surface torpedo tube. Like a fixed surface vehicle, an underwater vehicle has a pipe cap at each end. The back cover opens into the submarine's torpedo compartment. The front cover opens directly into the water. It is clear that if both covers are opened at the same time, sea water will penetrate into the torpedo compartment. Therefore, the underwater, as well as the stationary surface, torpedo tube is equipped with an interlocking mechanism that prevents the simultaneous opening of two covers.
1 - device for controlling the rotation of the torpedo tube; 2 - place for the gunner; 3 - hardware sight; 4 - torpedo tube; 5 - torpedo; 6 - fixed base; 7 - rotating platform; 8 - torpedo tube cover
To fire a torpedo from a torpedo tube, compressed air or a powder charge are used. The fired torpedo moves towards the target using its mechanisms.
Since a torpedo has a movement speed comparable to the speed of ships, it is necessary when firing a torpedo at a ship or transport to give it a lead angle in the direction of the target's movement. This can be explained elementary by the following diagram (Fig. 21). Let's assume that at the moment of firing the ship firing the torpedo is at point A, and the enemy ship is at point B. In order for the torpedo to hit the target, it must be released in the direction AC. This direction is chosen in such a way that the torpedo travels the path AC in the same time as the enemy ship travels the distance BC.
Under the specified conditions, the torpedo should meet the ship at point C.
To increase the probability of hitting the target, several torpedoes are fired over an area, which is carried out using the fan method or the method of sequential release of torpedoes.
When firing using the fan method, the torpedo tubes are moved apart from each other by several degrees and the torpedoes are fired in one gulp. The solution is given to the pipes such that the distance between two adjacent torpedoes at the moment of crossing the expected course of the target ship does not exceed the length of this ship.
Then, out of several torpedoes fired, at least one should hit the target. When firing sequentially, torpedoes are fired one after another at certain intervals, calculated depending on the speed of the torpedoes and the length of the target.
Installation of torpedo tubes in a certain position for firing torpedoes is achieved using torpedo firing control devices (Fig. 22).
1 - horizontal guidance flywheel; 2 - scale; 3 - sight
According to the American press, the torpedo armament of US Navy submarines has some peculiarities. First of all, this is the relatively small standard length of torpedo tubes - only 6.4 m. Although the tactical characteristics of such “short” torpedoes deteriorate, their stock on the boat racks can be increased to 24-40 pieces.
Since all American nuclear boats are equipped with a device for rapid loading of torpedoes, the number of devices on them has been reduced from 8 to 4. On American and British nuclear boats, torpedo tubes operate on the hydraulic principle of firing, which ensures safe, bubble-free and undifferentiated torpedo firing.
In modern conditions, the likelihood of surface ships using torpedoes against surface ships has decreased significantly due to the emergence of a formidable missile weapons. At the same time, the ability of some classes of surface ships - submarines and destroyers - to launch a torpedo strike still poses a threat to ships and transports and limits their area of possible maneuvering. At the same time, torpedoes are becoming more and more important in anti-submarine warfare. That is why in recent years the navies of many foreign countries have great importance attached to anti-submarine torpedoes (Fig. 23), which are used to arm aircraft, submarines and surface ships.
Submarines are armed with various types of torpedoes designed to destroy underwater and surface targets. To combat surface targets, submarines mainly use straight forward heavy torpedoes with an explosive charge of 200-300 kg, and to destroy submarines they use homing electric anti-submarine torpedoes.
Encyclopedic YouTube
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✪ How do fish make electricity? - Eleanor Nelson
✪ Torpedo marmorata
✪ Ford Mondeo stove. How will it burn?
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Translator: Ksenia Khorkova Editor: Rostislav Golod In 1800, naturalist Alexander von Humboldt observed a school of electric eels jumping out of the water to protect themselves from approaching horses. Many people found the story unusual and thought that Humboldt had made it all up. But fish that use electricity are more common than you think; and yes, there is such a type of fish - electric eels. Underwater, where there is little light, electrical signals enable communication, navigation and serve to search for, and in rare cases, immobilize prey. Approximately 350 species of fish have special anatomical structures that generate and record electrical signals. These fish are divided into two groups depending on how much electricity they generate. Scientists call the first group fish with weak electrical properties. Organs near the tail, called electrical organs, generate up to one volt of electricity, almost two-thirds that of a AA battery. How it works? The fish's brain sends a signal through the nervous system to an electrical organ, which is filled with stacks of hundreds or thousands of disc-like cells called electrocytes. Normally, electrocytes expel sodium and potassium ions to maintain a positive charge on the outside and a negative charge on the inside. But when a signal from the nervous system reaches an electrocyte, it provokes the opening of ion channels. Positively charged ions flow back inside. Now one end of the electrocyte is charged negatively on the outside and positively on the inside. But the opposite end has opposite charges. These alternating charges can create a current, turning the electrocyte into a kind of biological battery. The key to this ability is that the signals are coordinated to reach every cell at the same time. Therefore, stacks of electrocytes act like thousands of batteries in series. The tiny charges in each battery create an electric field that can travel several meters. Cells called electroreceptors found in the skin allow the fish to constantly sense this field and changes in it caused by the environment or other fish. Peters's gnatonem, or Nile elephant, for example, has an elongated, trunk-like appendage on its chin that is studded with electrical receptors. This allows the fish to receive signals from other fish, judge distances, determine the shape and size of nearby objects, or even determine whether insects floating on the surface of the water are alive or dead. But elephantfish and other species of weakly electric fish do not generate enough electricity to attack prey. This ability is possessed by fish with strong electrical properties, of which there are very few species. The most powerful highly electric fish is the electric knifefish, better known as the electric eel. Three electrical organs cover almost the entire two-meter body. Like weakly electric fish, the electric eel uses signals for navigation and communication, but it reserves its strongest electrical charges for hunting, using a two-phase attack to find and then immobilize its prey. First, it releases a couple of strong pulses of 600 volts. These impulses cause spasms in the victim's muscles and generate waves that reveal the location of its hiding place. Immediately after this, high-voltage discharges cause even stronger muscle contractions. The eel can also coil itself so that the electrical fields generated at each end of the electrical organ intersect. The electrical storm eventually exhausts and immobilizes the victim, allowing the electric eel to eat its dinner alive. Two other highly electric fish species are the electric catfish, which can release 350 volts using an electrical organ that occupies most his body, and an electric stingray with kidney-like electrical organs on the sides of his head that produce 220 volts. However, there is one unsolved mystery in the world of electric fish: why don’t they shock themselves? It is possible that the size of highly electric fish allows them to withstand their own discharges, or that the current leaves their bodies too quickly. Scientists think that special proteins may protect electrical organs, but in fact this is one of the mysteries that science has not yet solved.
Origin of the term
In Russian, like other European languages, the word “torpedo” is borrowed from English (English torpedo) [ ] .
Regarding the first use of this term in English language there is no consensus. Some authoritative sources claim that the first recording of this term dates back to 1776 and it was introduced into circulation by David Bushnell, the inventor of one of the first prototype submarines, the Turtle. According to another, more widespread version, the primacy of the use of this word in the English language belongs to Robert Fulton and dates back to the beginning of the 19th century (no later than 1810)
In both cases, the term “torpedo” did not designate a self-propelled cigar-shaped projectile, but an egg- or barrel-shaped underwater contact mine, which had little in common with the Whitehead and Aleksandrovsky torpedoes.
Originally in English, the word “torpedo” refers to electric stingrays, and has existed since the 16th century and was borrowed from the Latin language (lat. torpedo), which in turn originally meant “numbness,” “rigidity,” “immobility.” The term is associated with the effect of the “strike” of an electric ramp.
Classifications
By engine type
- On compressed air (before the First World War);
- Steam-gas - liquid fuel burns in compressed air (oxygen) with the addition of water, and the resulting mixture rotates a turbine or drives a piston engine;
a separate type of steam-gas torpedoes are torpedoes from the Walther gas turbine unit. - Powder - gases from slowly burning gunpowder rotate the engine shaft or turbine;
- Jet - do not have propellers, they use jet thrust (torpedoes: RAT-52, “Shkval”). It is necessary to distinguish rocket torpedoes from rocket torpedoes, which are missiles with warheads-stages in the form of torpedoes (rocket torpedoes “ASROC”, “Waterfall”, etc.).
- Uncontrolled - the first samples;
- Upright - with a magnetic compass or gyroscopic semi-compass;
- Maneuvering according to a given program (circulating) in the area of the intended targets - used by Germany in the Second World War;
- Homing passive - by physical target fields, mainly by noise or changes in the properties of water in the wake (first used in World War II), acoustic torpedoes "Zaukenig" (Germany, used by submarines) and Mark 24 FIDO (USA, used only from airplanes, since they could hit their ship);
- Homing active - have a sonar on board. Many modern anti-submarine and multi-purpose torpedoes;
- Remote-controlled - targeting is carried out from a surface or underwater ship via wires (fiber optics).
By purpose
- Anti-ship (initially all torpedoes);
- Universal (designed to destroy both surface and submarine ships);
- Anti-submarine (intended to destroy submarines).
“In 1865,” writes Aleksandrovsky, “I presented... to Admiral N.K. Krabbe (manager of the Naval Ministry of Autonomous Republic) a project for a self-propelled torpedo that I had invented. The essence... the torpedo is nothing more than a miniature copy of the submarine I invented. As in my submarine, so in my torpedo, the main engine is compressed air, the same horizontal rudders for direction at the desired depth... with the only difference that the submarine is controlled by people, and the self-propelled torpedo... by an automatic mechanism. Upon presentation of my project for a self-propelled torpedo, N. K. Krabbe found it premature, because at that time my submarine was just being built.”
Apparently the first guided torpedo was the Brennan Torpedo, developed in 1877.
World War I
The Second World War
Electric torpedoesOne of the disadvantages of steam-gas torpedoes is the presence of a trace (exhaust gas bubbles) on the surface of the water, unmasking the torpedo and creating the opportunity for the attacked ship to evade it and determine the location of the attackers, therefore, after the First World War, attempts began to use an electric motor as a torpedo engine. The idea was obvious, but none of the states, except Germany, could implement it before the start of World War II. In addition to the tactical advantages, it turned out that electric torpedoes are relatively simple to manufacture (for example, the labor costs for the manufacture of a standard German steam-gas torpedo G7a (T1) ranged from 3,740 man-hours in 1939 to 1,707 man-hours in 1943; and for the production of one electric torpedoes G7e (T2) required 1255 man-hours). However, the maximum speed of the electric torpedo was only 30 knots, while the steam-gas torpedo reached a speed of up to 46 knots. There was also the problem of eliminating hydrogen leakage from the torpedo’s battery, which sometimes led to its accumulation and explosions.
In Germany, an electric torpedo was created back in 1918, but they did not have time to use it in combat. Development continued in 1923, in Sweden. In the city, the new electric torpedo was ready for mass production, but it was officially put into service only in the city under the designation G7e. The work was so secret that the British learned about it only in 1939, when parts of such a torpedo were discovered during inspection battleship"Royal Oak", torpedoed at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.
However, already in August 1941, fully serviceable 12 such torpedoes fell into the hands of the British on the captured U-570. Despite the fact that both Britain and the USA already had prototypes electric torpedoes, they simply copied the German one and adopted it for service (though only in 1945, after the end of the war) under the designation Mk-XI in the British and Mk-18 in the American fleet.
Work on the creation of a special electric battery and electric motor intended for 533 mm torpedoes began in 1932 in the Soviet Union. During 1937-1938 two experimental electric torpedoes ET-45 with a 45 kW electric motor were manufactured. It showed unsatisfactory results, so in 1938 a fundamentally new electric motor was developed with an armature and a magnetic system rotating in different directions, with high efficiency and satisfactory power (80 kW). The first samples of the new electric torpedo were made in 1940. And although the German G7e electric torpedo fell into the hands of Soviet engineers, they did not copy it, and in 1942, after state tests, the domestic ET-80 torpedo was put into service . The first five ET-80 combat torpedoes arrived in the Northern Fleet at the beginning of 1943. In total, Soviet submariners used 16 electric torpedoes during the war.
Thus, in reality, in World War II, Germany and the Soviet Union had electric torpedoes in service. The share of electric torpedoes in the ammunition load of Kriegsmarine submarines was up to 80%.
Proximity fuses
Independently, in strict secrecy, and almost simultaneously, the navies of Germany, England, and the United States developed magnetic fuses for torpedoes. These fuses had a great advantage over simpler contact fuses. Mine-resistant bulkheads located below the armored belt of the ships minimized the destruction caused when a torpedo hit the side. For maximum effectiveness of destruction, a torpedo with a contact fuse had to hit the unarmored part of the hull, which turned out to be a very difficult task. The magnetic fuses were designed in such a way that they were triggered by changes in the magnetic field of the Earth under the steel hull of the ship and exploded the warhead of the torpedo at a distance of 0.3-3.0 meters from its bottom. It was believed that a torpedo explosion under the bottom of a ship caused two or three times more damage than an explosion of the same power at its side.
However, the first German static magnetic fuses (TZ1), which responded to the absolute strength of the vertical component of the magnetic field, simply had to be withdrawn from service in 1940, after the Norwegian operation. These fuses were triggered after the torpedo had passed a safe distance even when the sea was lightly rough, during circulation, or when the torpedo’s movement in depth was not stable enough. As a result, this fuse saved several British heavy cruisers from certain destruction.
New German proximity fuses appeared in combat torpedoes only in 1943. These were magnetodynamic fuses of the Pi-Dupl type, in which the sensitive element was an induction coil fixedly mounted in the fighting compartment of the torpedo. Pi-Dupl fuses responded to the rate of change in the vertical component of tension magnetic field and to change its polarity under the hull of the ship. However, the response radius of such a fuse in 1940 was 2.5-3 m, and in 1943 on a demagnetized ship it barely reached 1 m.
Only in the second half of the war did the German fleet adopt the TZ2 proximity fuse, which had a narrow response band that lay outside the frequency ranges of the main types of interference. As a result, even against a demagnetized ship, it provided a response radius of up to 2-3 m at angles of contact with the target from 30 to 150°, and with a sufficient travel depth (about 7 m), the TZ2 fuse had practically no false alarms due to rough seas. The disadvantage of the TZ2 was its requirement to ensure a sufficiently high relative speed of the torpedo and the target, which was not always possible when firing low-speed electric homing torpedoes.
In the Soviet Union it was an NBC type fuse ( proximity fuse with stabilizer; This is a generator-type magnetodynamic fuse, which was triggered not by the magnitude, but by the speed of change in the vertical component of the magnetic field strength of a ship with a displacement of at least 3000 tons at a distance of up to 2 m from the bottom). It was installed on 53-38 torpedoes (NBC could only be used in torpedoes with special brass combat charging compartments).
Maneuvering devices
During the Second World War, work continued on the creation of maneuvering devices for torpedoes in all leading naval powers. However, only Germany was able to bring prototypes to industrial production (course guidance systems FaT and its improved version LuT).
FaT
The first example of the FaT guidance system was installed on a TI (G7a) torpedo. The following control concept was implemented - the torpedo in the first section of the trajectory moved linearly over a distance from 500 to 12,500 m and turned in any direction at an angle of up to 135 degrees across the movement of the convoy, and in the zone of destruction of enemy ships, further movement was carried out along an S-shaped trajectory (“ snake") at a speed of 5-7 knots, while the length of the straight section ranged from 800 to 1600 m and the circulation diameter was 300 m. As a result, the search trajectory resembled the steps of a ladder. Ideally, the torpedo should have searched for a target at a constant speed across the direction of movement of the convoy. The probability of being hit by such a torpedo, fired from the forward heading angles of a convoy with a “snake” across its course of movement, turned out to be very high.
Since May 1943, the next modification of the FaTII guidance system (the length of the “snake” section is 800 m) began to be installed on TII (G7e) torpedoes. Due to the short range of the electric torpedo, this modification was considered primarily as a self-defense weapon, fired from the stern torpedo tube towards the pursuing escort ship.
LuT
The LuT guidance system was developed to overcome the limitations of the FaT system and entered service in the spring of 1944. Compared to the previous system, the torpedoes were equipped with a second gyroscope, as a result of which it became possible to set turns twice before the start of the “snake” movement. Theoretically, this made it possible for the submarine commander to attack the convoy not from the bow heading angles, but from any position - first the torpedo overtook the convoy, then turned to its bow corners, and only after that began to move in a “snake” across the convoy’s course of movement. The length of the “snake” section could vary in any range up to 1600 m, while the speed of the torpedo was inversely proportional to the length of the section and was for G7a with the initial 30-knot mode set to 10 knots with a section length of 500 m and 5 knots with a section length of 1500 m .
The need to make changes to the design of the torpedo tubes and the computing device limited the number of boats prepared to use the LuT guidance system to only five dozen. Historians estimate that German submariners fired about 70 LuT torpedoes during the war.
Modern torpedo- a formidable weapon for surface ships, naval aviation and submarines. It allows you to quickly and accurately deliver a powerful blow to the enemy at sea. This is an autonomous, self-propelled and controlled underwater projectile containing 0.5 tons of explosive or nuclear warhead.The secrets of developing torpedo weapons are the most guarded, because the number of states that own these technologies is even smaller than the members of the nuclear missile club.
Currently, there is a serious increase in Russia's lag in the design and development of torpedo weapons. For a long time, the situation was somehow smoothed out by the presence in Russia of the Shvkal missile-torpedoes, adopted in 1977, but since 2005, similar torpedo weapons have appeared in Germany.
There is information that the German Barracuda missile-torpedoes are capable of developing a higher speed than the Shkval, but for now Russian torpedoes of this type are more widespread. In general, the gap between conventional Russian torpedoes and foreign analogues reaches 20-30 years .
The main manufacturer of torpedoes in Russia is JSC Concern Morskoe underwater weapon- Hydraulic device. During the International Naval Show in 2009 (“IMMS-2009”), this enterprise presented its developments to the public, in particular 533-mm universal remote-controlled electric torpedo TE-2. This torpedo is designed to destroy modern ships enemy submarines in any area of the World Ocean.
The TE-2 torpedo has the following characteristics:
— length with telecontrol coil (without coil) – 8300 (7900) mm;
- total weight - 2450 kg;
- mass of combat charge - 250 kg;
— the torpedo is capable of speeds from 32 to 45 knots at a range of 15 and 25 km, respectively;
- has a service life of 10 years.
The TE-2 torpedo is equipped with an acoustic homing system(active against surface targets and active-passive against underwater targets) and non-contact electromagnetic fuses, as well as a fairly powerful electric motor with a noise reduction device.
The TE-2 torpedo can be installed on submarines and ships of various types and at the request of the customer made in three different versions:
— the first TE-2-01 involves mechanical input of data on a detected target;
- second TE-2-02 electrical data input for a detected target;
— the third version of the TE-2 torpedo has smaller weight and dimensions with a length of 6.5 meters and is intended for use on NATO-style submarines, for example, on German Project 209 submarines.
Torpedo TE-2-02 was specially developed for arming Project 971 Bars class nuclear attack submarines, which carry missile and torpedo weapons. There is information that a similar nuclear submarine was purchased under contract navy India.
The saddest thing is that a similar TE-2 torpedo does not already meet a number of requirements for similar weapons, and is also inferior in its technical specifications foreign analogues. All modern Western-made torpedoes and even new Chinese-made torpedo weapons have hose remote control.
On domestic torpedoes, a towed reel is used - a rudiment of almost 50 years ago. Which actually puts our submarines under enemy fire with much greater effective firing distances.
Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation
TORPEDO WEAPON
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by discipline
"NAVY COMBAT WEAPONS AND THEIR COMBAT USE"
Torpedo weapons: guidelines for independent work in the discipline " Military means fleet and their combat use" / Comp.: , ; St. Petersburg: Publishing house of St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”, 20 p.
Designed for students of all backgrounds.
Approved
Editorial and Publishing Council of the University
as guidelines
From the history of development and combat use
torpedo weapons
Appearance at the beginning of the 19th century. armored ships with thermal engines exacerbated the need to create weapons that would hit the most vulnerable underwater part of the ship. The sea mine that appeared in the 40s became such a weapon. However, it had a significant drawback: it was positional (passive).
The world's first self-propelled mine was created in 1865 by a Russian inventor.
In 1866, the project of a self-propelled underwater projectile was developed by the Englishman R. Whitehead, who worked in Austria. He also suggested naming the projectile after the stingray - “torpedo”. Having failed to establish its own production, the Russian Maritime Department purchased a batch of Whitehead torpedoes in the 70s. They covered a distance of 800 m at a speed of 17 knots and carried a charge of pyroxylin weighing 36 kg.
The world's first successful torpedo attack was carried out by the commander of a Russian military steamer, lieutenant (later vice admiral) on January 26, 1878. At night, during heavy snowfall in the Batumi roadstead, two boats launched from the steamer approached 50 m to the Turkish ship and simultaneously launched torpedo. The ship quickly sank with almost the entire crew.
A fundamentally new torpedo weapon changed views on character armed struggle at sea - from general battles, fleets moved to systematic combat operations.
Torpedoes of the 70-80s of the 19th century. had a significant drawback: not having control devices in the horizontal plane, they deviated greatly from the given course and firing at a distance of more than 600 m was ineffective. In 1896, Lieutenant of the Austrian Navy L. Aubry proposed the first sample of a gyroscopic heading device with a spring winding, which kept the torpedo on course for 3 - 4 minutes. The issue of increasing the range was on the agenda.
In 1899, a lieutenant in the Russian navy invented a heating apparatus in which kerosene was burned. Before being supplied to the cylinders of the working machine, the compressed air was heated up and already performed a lot of work. The introduction of heating increased the torpedo range to 4000 m at speeds of up to 30 knots.
In the First World War, 49% of the total number of large ships sunk were caused by torpedo weapons.
In 1915, a torpedo was fired from an aircraft for the first time.
The Second World War accelerated the testing and adoption of torpedoes with proximity fuses (NV), homing systems (HSS) and electrical power plants.
In subsequent years, despite the equipping of fleets with the latest nuclear missile weapons, torpedoes have not lost their importance. Being the most effective anti-submarine weapons, they are in service with all classes of surface ships (SC), submarines (Submarines) and naval aviation, and have also become the main element of modern anti-submarine missiles (ASBMs) and an integral part of many types of modern sea mines. A modern torpedo is a complex unified set of systems for propulsion, motion control, homing and non-contact detonation of a charge, created on the basis of modern achievements of science and technology.
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TORPEDO WEAPONS
1.1. Purpose, composition and placement of complexes
torpedo weapons on a ship
Torpedo weapons (TO) are intended:
For the destruction of submarines (submarines), surface ships (NS)
Destruction of hydraulic engineering and port structures.
For these purposes, torpedoes are used, which are in service with surface ships, submarines and naval aircraft (helicopters). In addition, they are used as warheads for anti-submarine missiles and mine torpedoes.
Torpedo weapons are a complex that includes:
Ammunition for torpedoes of one or more types;
Torpedo launchers – torpedo tubes (TA);
Torpedo firing control devices (TCD);
The complex is complemented by equipment designed for loading and unloading torpedoes, as well as devices for monitoring their condition during storage on the carrier.
The number of torpedoes in the ammunition load, depending on the type of carrier, is:
On NK - from 4 to 10;
On submarines - from 14-16 to 22-24.
On domestic NKs, the entire supply of torpedoes is located in torpedo tubes installed on board on large ships, and in the center plane on medium and small ships. These TAs are rotatable, which ensures their guidance in the horizontal plane. On torpedo boats, the torpedo boats are mounted motionless on the side and are non-guided (stationary).
On nuclear submarines, torpedoes are stored in the first (torpedo) compartment in TA tubes (4-8), and spare ones are stored on racks.
On most diesel-electric submarines, the torpedo compartments are the first and the end ones.
PUTS - a complex of instruments and communication lines - is located on the main command post ship (GKP), the command post of the commander of the mine-torpedo warhead (BC-3) and on torpedo tubes.
1.2. Classification of torpedoes
Torpedoes can be classified according to a number of criteria.
1. By purpose:
Against submarines - anti-submarine;
NK - anti-ship;
NK and PL are universal.
2. By media:
For submarines - boat;
NK - ship;
PL and NK – unified;
Airplanes (helicopters) – aviation;
Anti-submarine missiles;
Min - torpedoes.
3. By type of power plant (EPS):
Steam-gas (thermal);
Electrical;
Reactive.
4. By control methods:
With autonomous control (AU);
Homing (CH+AU);
Remote controlled (TU + AU);
With combined control (AU+CH+TU).
5. By type of fuse:
With contact fuse (KV);
With a non-contact fuse (NV);
With a combined fuse (KV+NV).
6. By caliber:
400 mm; 533 mm; 650 mm.
Torpedoes with a caliber of 400 mm are called small-sized, while torpedoes with a caliber of 650 mm are called heavy. Most foreign small-sized torpedoes have a caliber of 324 mm.
7. According to travel modes:
Single-mode;
Dual-mode.
The mode in a torpedo is its speed and the corresponding speed maximum range progress. With a dual-mode torpedo, depending on the type of target and the tactical situation, modes can be switched during movement.
1.3. Main parts of torpedoes
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Any torpedo is structurally composed of four parts (Figure 1.1). The head part is the combat charging compartment (BZO). The following are located here: an explosive charge (EV), an igniter, a contact and non-contact fuse. The homing equipment head is attached to the front section of the BZO.
Mixed high explosives with a TNT equivalent of 1.6-1.8 are used as explosives in torpedoes. The mass of the explosive, depending on the caliber of the torpedo, is 30-80 kg, 240-320 kg and up to 600 kg, respectively.
The middle part of the electric torpedo is called the battery compartment, which, in turn, is divided into battery and instrument compartments. The following are located here: energy sources - a battery, elements of ballasts, a high-pressure air cylinder and an electric motor.
In a steam-gas torpedo, a similar component is called the separation of power components and control equipment. It houses containers with fuel, oxidizer, fresh water and a heat engine - an engine.
The third component of any type of torpedo is called the aft compartment. It has a cone shape and contains motion control devices, power sources and converters, as well as the main elements of the pneumohydraulic circuit.
The fourth component of the torpedo is attached to the rear section of the aft compartment - the tail section, ending with propellers: propellers or a jet nozzle.
Vertical and horizontal stabilizers are located on the tail section, and on the stabilizers there are controls for the movement of the torpedo - rudders.
1.4. Purpose, classification, basics of the device
and principles of operation of torpedo tubes
Torpedo tubes (TA) are launchers and are designed to:
For storing torpedoes on a carrier;
Introduction to torpedo motion control devices
data (shooting data);
Giving the torpedo the direction of initial movement
(in rotary TA of submarines);
Firing a torpedo shot;
In addition, submarine torpedo tubes can be used as launchers of anti-submarine missiles, as well as for storing and laying sea mines.
TAs are classified according to a number of criteria:
1) at the installation location:
2) according to the degree of mobility:
Rotary (only on NK),
Fixed;
3) by the number of pipes:
Monotube,
Multi-pipe (only on NK);
4) by caliber:
Small (400 mm, 324 mm),
Medium (533 mm),
Large (650 mm);
5) according to the method of shooting
Pneumatic,
Hydraulic (on modern submarines),
Powder (on small NK).
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The TA structure of a surface ship is shown in Fig. 1.2. Inside the TA pipe along its entire length there are four guide tracks.
Inside the TA pipe (Fig. 1.3), there are four guide tracks along its entire length.
The distance between opposite tracks corresponds to the caliber of the torpedo. In the front part of the pipe there are two sealing rings, the internal diameter of which is also equal to the caliber of the torpedo. The rings prevent the forward breakthrough of the working fluid (air, water, gas) supplied to the rear part of the tube to push the torpedo out of the tube.
For all TAs, each tube has an independent device for firing a shot. At the same time, the possibility of salvo firing from several devices with an interval of 0.5 - 1 s is provided. The shot can be fired remotely from the ship's main command post or directly from the launch vehicle, manually.
The torpedo is fired by supplying excess pressure to the rear part of the torpedo, ensuring a torpedo exit speed of ~ 12 m/s.
The submarine's TA is stationary, single-pipe. The number of torpedo tubes in the torpedo compartment of a submarine is six or four. Each device has durable back and front covers, locked to each other. This makes it impossible to open the back cover while the front is open and vice versa. Preparing the device for a shot includes filling it with water, equalizing the pressure with the outboard pressure and opening the front cover.
In the first TA submarines, the air pushing the torpedo came out of the pipe and floated to the surface, forming a large air bubble that unmasked the submarine. Currently, all submarines are equipped with a bubble-free torpedo firing system (BTS). The principle of operation of this system is that after the torpedo passes 2/3 of the length of the torpedo, a valve in its front part automatically opens, through which the exhaust air exits into the torpedo compartment hold.
On modern submarines, to reduce the noise of the shot and ensure the possibility of firing at great depths, hydraulic firing systems are installed. As an example, such a system is shown in Fig. 1.4.
The sequence of operations when operating the system is as follows:
Opening the automatic sea valve (AZK);
Equalizing the pressure inside the TA with the outboard one;
Closing gas stations;
Opening the front cover of the TA;
Opening the air valve (VK);
Movement of pistons;
Movement of water in TA;
Firing a torpedo;
Closing the front cover;
TA drainage;
Opening the back cover of the TA;
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- loading a rack torpedo;
Closing the back cover.
1.5. The concept of torpedo firing control devices
PUTS are designed to generate data necessary for targeted shooting. Since the target is moving, there is a need to solve the problem of meeting a torpedo with a target, i.e., finding the preemptive point where this meeting should occur.
To solve the problem (Fig. 1.5) it is necessary:
1) detect the target;
2) determine its location relative to the attacking ship, i.e. set the coordinates of the target - distance D0 and heading angle to the target KU 0 ;
3) determine the parameters of target movement (MPT) - course Kc and speed V c;
4) calculate the lead angle j at which the torpedo must be directed, i.e. calculate the so-called torpedo triangle (shown in thick lines in Fig. 1.5). It is assumed that the course and speed of the target are constant;
5) enter the necessary information through the TA into the torpedo.
detecting targets and determining their coordinates. Surface targets are detected by radar stations (RLS), underwater targets are detected by hydroacoustic stations (GAS);
2) determining the parameters of target movement. They are used as computers or other computers;
3) calculation of the torpedo triangle, also computers or other PSA;
4) transmitting and entering information into torpedoes and monitoring the data entered into them. These can be synchronous communication lines and tracking devices.
Figure 1.6 shows a version of the control system, which provides for the use of an electronic system, which is one of the circuits of the ship’s general combat information control system (CIUS), as the main information processing device, and an electromechanical system as a backup one. This scheme is used on modern computers
PGESU torpedoes are a type of heat engine (Fig. 2.1). The source of energy in thermal ECS is fuel, which is a combination of fuel and oxidizer.
The types of fuel used in modern torpedoes can be:
Multicomponent (fuel – oxidizer – water) (Fig. 2.2);
Unitary (fuel mixed with oxidizer - water);
Solid powder;
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- solid hydro-reacting.
The thermal energy of fuel is generated as a result of a chemical reaction of oxidation or decomposition of substances included in its composition.
The fuel combustion temperature is 3000…4000°C. In this case, there is a possibility of softening of the materials from which individual components of the ESU are made. Therefore, water is supplied into the combustion chamber along with fuel, which reduces the temperature of combustion products to 600...800°C. In addition, injection of fresh water increases the volume of the steam-gas mixture, which significantly increases the power of the ESU.
The first torpedoes used fuel that included kerosene and compressed air as an oxidizer. This oxidizer turned out to be ineffective due to the low oxygen content. Component air - nitrogen, insoluble in water, was thrown overboard and caused a trail that unmasked the torpedo. Currently, pure compressed oxygen or low-hydrogen hydrogen peroxide are used as oxidizing agents. In this case, combustion products that are insoluble in water are almost not formed and the trace is practically invisible.
The use of liquid unitary fuels made it possible to simplify the fuel system of the ESU and improve the operating conditions of torpedoes.
Solid fuels, which are unitary, can be monomolecular or mixed. The latter are more often used. They consist of organic fuel, solid oxidizer and various additives. The amount of heat generated can be controlled by the amount of water supplied. The use of such types of fuel eliminates the need to carry a supply of oxidizer on board the torpedo. This reduces the mass of the torpedo, which significantly increases its speed and range.
The engine of a steam-gas torpedo, in which thermal energy is converted into mechanical work of rotation of the propellers, is one of its main units. It determines the basic tactical and technical data of a torpedo - speed, range, tracking, noise.
Torpedo engines have a number of features that are reflected in their design:
Short duration of work;
Minimum time to enter the regime and its strict consistency;
Work in aquatic environment with high exhaust back pressure;
Minimum weight and dimensions with high power;
Minimum fuel consumption.
Torpedo engines are divided into piston and turbine engines. Currently most widespread received the latter (Fig. 2.3).
The energy components are fed into a steam and gas generator, where they are ignited with an incendiary cartridge. The resulting vapor-gas mixture under pressure
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flows onto the turbine blades, where, expanding, it does work. The rotation of the turbine wheel is transmitted through a gearbox and differential to the internal and external propeller shafts, rotating in opposite directions.
Most modern torpedoes use propellers as propellers. The front screw is on the outer shaft with right rotation, the rear one is on the inner shaft with left rotation. Thanks to this, the moments of forces that deflect the torpedo from the given direction of movement are balanced.
The efficiency of the engines is characterized by the magnitude of the efficiency factor, taking into account the influence of the hydrodynamic properties of the torpedo body. The coefficient decreases when the propellers reach the rotation speed at which the blades begin to
cavitation 1 . One of the ways to combat this harmful phenomenon was
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the use of attachments for screws, which makes it possible to obtain a water-jet propulsion device (Fig. 2.4).
The main disadvantages of the ECS of the type considered include:
High noise associated with a large number rapidly rotating massive mechanisms and the presence of an exhaust;
A decrease in engine power and, as a consequence, a decrease in torpedo speed with increasing depth, due to an increase in back pressure to the exhaust gases;
A gradual decrease in the mass of the torpedo during its movement due to the consumption of energy components;
The search for ways to eliminate the listed disadvantages led to the creation of electric ECS.
2.1.2. Electrical control systems for torpedoes
The energy sources of electric ESUs are chemical substances(Fig. 2.5).
Chemical current sources must meet a number of requirements:
Acceptability of high discharge currents;
Operability in a wide temperature range;
Minimum self-discharge during storage and no gas evolution;
1 Cavitation is the formation in a droplet liquid of cavities filled with gas, steam or a mixture of them. Cavitation bubbles form in places where the pressure in the liquid drops below a certain critical value.
Small dimensions and weight.
The most widely used batteries in modern combat torpedoes are single-use batteries.
The main energy indicator of a chemical current source is its capacity - the amount of electricity that a fully charged battery can produce when discharged with a current of a certain strength. It depends on the material, design and value of the active mass of the source plates, discharge current, temperature, electroconcentration
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lita, etc.
For the first time, lead-acid batteries (AB) were used in electric ECS. Their electrodes: lead peroxide (“-”) and pure sponge lead (“+”), were placed in a solution of sulfuric acid. The specific capacity of such batteries was 8 W h/kg mass, which in comparison with chemical fuels was insignificant. Torpedoes with such batteries had low speed and range. In addition, these batteries had a high level of self-discharge, and this required their periodic recharging when stored on a carrier, which was inconvenient and unsafe.
The next step in improving chemical current sources was the use of alkaline batteries. In these batteries, iron-nickel, cadmium-nickel or silver-zinc electrodes were placed in an alkaline electrolyte. Such sources had a specific capacity 5-6 times greater than lead-acid sources, which made it possible to dramatically increase the speed and range of torpedoes. Their further development led to the emergence of disposable silver-magnesium batteries using seawater as an electrolyte. The specific capacity of such sources increased to 80 Wh/kg, which brought the speeds and ranges of electric torpedoes very close to those of steam-gas torpedoes.
Comparative characteristics of the energy sources of electric torpedoes are given in Table. 2.1.
Table 2.1
The motors of electric ESUs are DC series-excited electric motors (EMs) (Fig. 2.6).
Most torpedo motors are birotative engines, in which the armature and magnetic system rotate simultaneously in opposite directions. They have greater power and do not require a differential or gearbox, which significantly reduces noise and increases power density ESU.
The propulsors of electric ESUs are similar to the propulsors of steam-gas torpedoes.
The advantages of the considered ESUs are:
Low noise;
Constant power, independent of the torpedo's depth of travel;
Constancy of the mass of the torpedo during the entire time of its movement.
The disadvantages include:
The energy sources of reactive ESUs are the substances shown in Fig. 2.7.
They are fuel charges made in the form of cylindrical blocks or rods, consisting of a mixture of combinations of the presented substances (fuel, oxidizer and additives). These mixtures have the properties of gunpowder. Jet engines do not have intermediate elements - mechanisms and propellers. The main parts of such an engine are the combustion chamber and the jet nozzle. At the end of the 80s, some torpedoes began to use hydro-reacting fuels - complex in composition solids based on aluminum, magnesium or lithium. Heated to the melting point, they react violently with water, releasing a large number of energy.
2.2. Torpedo motion control systems
A moving torpedo together with its surroundings marine environment forms a complex hydrodynamic system. During movement the torpedo is affected by:
Gravity and buoyant force;
Engine thrust and water resistance;
External influencing factors (sea waves, changes in water density, etc.). The first two factors are known and can be taken into account. The latter are random in nature. They disrupt the dynamic balance of forces and deviate the torpedo from the calculated trajectory.
Control systems (Fig. 2.8) provide:
Stability of torpedo movement along the trajectory;
Changing the trajectory of the torpedo in accordance with a given program;
As an example, consider the structure and principle of operation of the bellows-pendulum depth machine shown in Fig. 2.9.
The basis of the device is a hydrostatic device based on a bellows (corrugated pipe with a spring) in combination with a physical pendulum. The water pressure is sensed by the bellows cover. It is balanced by a spring, the elasticity of which is set before firing depending on the specified depth of movement of the torpedo.
The device operates in the following sequence:
Changing the depth of the torpedo relative to the specified one;
Compression (or extension) of the bellows spring;
Moving the rack;
Gear rotation;
Turn the eccentric;
Balancer offset;
Movement of spool valves;
Movement of the steering piston;
Repositioning of horizontal rudders;
Returning the torpedo to the set depth.
If the torpedo trim appears, the pendulum deviates from the vertical position. In this case, the balancer moves similarly to the previous one, which leads to the repositioning of the same rudders.
Devices for controlling the movement of a torpedo along the course (KT)
The principle of construction and operation of the device can be explained by the diagram shown in Fig. 2.10.
The basis of the device is a gyroscope with three degrees of freedom. It is a massive disk with holes (indentations). The disk itself is movably mounted in frames that form the so-called gimbal suspension.
At the moment the torpedo is fired, high-pressure air from the air reservoir enters the wells of the gyroscope rotor. In 0.3...0.4 s the rotor reaches 20,000 rpm. A further increase in the number of revolutions to 40,000 and maintaining them at a distance is carried out by applying voltage to the gyroscope rotor, which is the armature of an asynchronous alternating current motor with a frequency of 500 Hz. In this case, the gyroscope acquires the property of maintaining the direction of its axis in space unchanged. This axis is installed in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo. In this case, the current collector of the disk with half rings is located in an isolated gap between the half rings. The relay power circuit is open, the KP relay contacts are also open. The position of the spool valves is determined by a spring.
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When a torpedo deviates from a given direction (course), a disk connected to the torpedo body rotates. The current collector ends up on the half ring. Current begins to flow through the relay coil. The Kp contacts close. The electromagnet receives power and its rod moves down. The spool valves are shifted, the steering gear shifts the vertical rudders. The torpedo returns to the set course.
If a fixed torpedo tube is installed on the ship, then when firing torpedoes, the lead angle j (see Fig. 1.5) must be algebraically added to the heading angle at which the target is located at the moment of the salvo ( q3 ). The resulting angle (ω), called the angle of the gyroscopic device, or the angle of the first rotation of the torpedo, can be introduced into the torpedo before firing by turning the disk with half rings. This eliminates the need to change the ship's course.
Torpedo roll control devices (γ)
The roll of a torpedo is its rotation around its longitudinal axis. The reasons for the roll are the circulation of the torpedo, over-raking of one of the propellers, etc. The roll leads to the deviation of the torpedo from the given course and displacements of the response zones of the homing system and proximity fuse.
The roll-leveling device is a combination of a gyro-vertical (a vertically mounted gyroscope) with a pendulum moving in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo. The device ensures that the controls γ - the ailerons - are shifted in different directions - “against each other” and, thus, returns the torpedo to a roll value close to zero.
Maneuvering devices
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Designed for programmatic maneuvering of a torpedo along the course of its trajectory. So, for example, in case of a miss, the torpedo begins to circulate or zigzag, ensuring that it repeatedly crosses the target’s course (Fig. 2.11).
The device is connected to the outer propeller shaft of the torpedo. The distance traveled is determined by the number of shaft revolutions. When the set distance is reached, maneuvering begins. The distance and type of maneuvering trajectory are entered into the torpedo before firing.
The accuracy of stabilization of torpedo movement along the course by autonomous control devices, having an error of ~1% of the distance traveled, ensures effective shooting at targets moving at a constant course and speed at a distance of up to 3.5...4 km. At long distances, shooting efficiency decreases. When the target moves with variable course and speed, shooting accuracy becomes unacceptable even at shorter distances.
The desire to increase the probability of hitting a surface target, as well as to ensure the possibility of hitting a submarine underwater at an unknown depth, led to the appearance in the 40s of torpedoes with homing systems.
2.2.2. Homing systems
Torpedo homing systems (HSS) provide:
Detection of targets by their physical fields;
Determining the position of the target relative to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo;
Development of necessary commands for steering gears;
Aiming a torpedo at a target with the precision required to trigger the torpedo's proximity fuse.
The SSN significantly increases the likelihood of hitting a target. One homing torpedo is more effective than a salvo of several torpedoes with autonomous control systems. SSNs are especially important when firing at submarines located at great depths.
The SSN reacts to the physical fields of ships. Acoustic fields have the greatest range of propagation in the aquatic environment. Therefore, the SSN of torpedoes are acoustic and are divided into passive, active and combined.
Passive SSN
Passive acoustic satellites respond to the primary acoustic field of the ship - its noise. They work secretly. However, they react poorly to slow-moving (due to low noise) and silent ships. In these cases, the noise of the torpedo itself may be greater than the noise of the target.
The ability to detect a target and determine its position relative to the torpedo is ensured by the creation of hydroacoustic antennas (electroacoustic transducers - EAP) with directional properties (Fig. 2.12, a).
The most widely used methods are equal-signal and phase-amplitude methods.
As an example, let's consider a SSN using the phase-amplitude method (Fig. 2.13).
Reception of useful signals (noise of a moving object) is carried out by an EAP, consisting of two groups of elements that form one radiation pattern (Fig. 2.13, a). In this case, if the target deviates from the axis of the diagram, two voltages of equal value, but shifted in phase j, act at the outputs of the EAP E 1 and E 2. (Fig. 2.13, b).
The phase-shifting device shifts both voltages in phase by the same angle u (usually equal to p/2) and sums the effective signals as follows:
E 1+ E’ 2= U 1 and E 2+ E’ 1= U 2.
As a result, the voltage has the same amplitude, but different phase E 1 and E 2 are converted to two voltages U 1 and U 2 of the same phase, but different amplitudes (hence the name of the method). Depending on the position of the target relative to the axis of the radiation pattern, you can get:
U 1 > U 2 – target to the right of the EAP axis;
U 1 = U 2 – target on the EAP axis;
U 1 < U 2 – target to the left of the EAP axis.
Voltages U 1 and U 2 are amplified and converted by detectors into DC voltages U'1 and U’2 of the appropriate value and are fed to the AKU analyzing and command device. As the latter, a polarized relay with an armature in the neutral (middle) position can be used (Fig. 2.13, c).
If there is equality U'1 and U’2 (target on the EAP axis), the current in the relay winding is zero. The anchor is motionless. The longitudinal axis of a moving torpedo is directed towards the target. If the target is displaced in one direction or another, a current in the corresponding direction begins to flow through the relay winding. A magnetic flux arises, deflecting the relay armature and causing the steering spool to move. The latter ensures the shifting of the rudders, and hence the rotation of the torpedo until the target returns to the longitudinal axis of the torpedo (to the axis of the EAP directional pattern).
Active CCHs
Active acoustic satellites respond to the secondary acoustic field of the ship - reflected signals from the ship or from its wake (but not to the noise of the ship).
In addition to the previously discussed nodes, they must include transmitting (generating) and switching (switching) devices (Fig. 2.14). The switching device ensures switching of the EAP from emission to reception.
Gas bubbles are reflectors of sound waves. The duration of the signals reflected from the wake jet is longer than the duration of the emitted ones. This difference is used as a source of information about the CS.
The torpedo is fired with the aiming point shifted in the direction opposite to the direction of the target's movement so that it ends up behind the target's stern and crosses the wake. As soon as this happens, the torpedo makes a turn towards the target and again enters the wake at an angle of about 300. This continues until the torpedo passes under the target. If a torpedo misses in front of the target's bow, the torpedo makes a circulation, again detects the wake and maneuvers again.
Combined CCH
Combined systems include both passive and active acoustic SSN, which eliminates the disadvantages of each separately. Modern SSN detect targets at distances up to 1500...2000 m. Therefore, when firing at long distances and especially at a sharply maneuvering target, it becomes necessary to adjust the course of the torpedo until the target is captured by the SSN. This task is performed by telecontrol systems for torpedo movement.
2.2.3. Telecontrol systems
Telecontrol systems (TC) are designed to correct the trajectory of a torpedo from a carrier ship.
Telecontrol is carried out via wire (Fig. 2.16, a, b).
To reduce the tension of the wire when moving, both the ship and the torpedo use two simultaneously unwinding views. On a submarine (Fig. 2.16, a), view 1 is placed in the TA and fired along with the torpedo. It is held in place by an armored cable about thirty meters long.
The principle of construction and operation of the technical specifications system is illustrated in Fig. 2.17. Using the hydroacoustic complex and its indicator, the target is detected. The obtained data on the coordinates of this target enters the computing complex. Information about the movement parameters of your ship and the set speed of the torpedo is also provided here. The calculating and solving complex generates the course of the CT torpedo and h T is the depth of its movement. This data is entered into the torpedo and a shot is fired.
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Using a command sensor, the current CT parameters are converted and h T into a series of pulsed electrical coded control signals. These signals are transmitted via wire to the torpedo. The torpedo control system decodes the received signals and converts them into voltages that control the operation of the corresponding control channels.
If necessary, observing the position of the torpedo and the target on the indicator of the carrier's hydroacoustic complex, the operator, using the control panel, can correct the trajectory of the torpedo, directing it to the target.
As already noted, at long distances (more than 20 km), telecontrol errors (due to errors in the sonar system) can amount to hundreds of meters. Therefore, the TU system is combined with a homing system. The latter is turned on at the operator’s command at a distance of 2…3 km from the target.
The considered technical specifications system is one-sided. If the ship receives information from the torpedo about the state of the torpedo’s on-board instruments, the trajectory of its movement, and the nature of the target’s maneuvering, then such a control system will be two-way. New opportunities in the implementation of two-way torpedo control systems are opened by the use of fiber-optic communication lines.
2.3. Torpedo ignition and fuses
2.3.1. Ignition accessory
The igniter (FP) of a torpedo's warhead is the combination of the primary and secondary detonators.
The composition of the ZP ensures stepwise detonation of the BZO explosive, which increases the safety of handling the finally prepared torpedo, on the one hand, and guarantees reliable and complete detonation of the entire charge, on the other.
The primary detonator (Fig. 2.18), consisting of an igniter capsule and a detonator capsule, is equipped with highly sensitive (initiating) explosives - mercury fulminate or lead azide, which explode when punctured or heated. For safety reasons, the primary detonator contains a small amount of explosives, insufficient to explode the main charge.
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The secondary detonator - the ignition cup - contains a less sensitive high explosive - tetryl, phlegmatized hexogen in an amount of 600...800 g. This amount is already enough to detonate the entire main charge of the BZO.
Thus, the explosion is carried out along the chain: fuse - igniter primer - detonator primer - ignition glass - BZO charge.
2.3.2. Torpedo contact fuses
The contact fuse (HF) of a torpedo is designed to puncture the igniter primer of the primary detonator and thereby cause an explosion of the main charge of the BZO at the moment of contact of the torpedo with the target side.
Impact (inertial) contact fuses are the most widely used. When a torpedo hits the side of the target, the inertial body (pendulum) deviates from the vertical position and releases the firing pin, which, under the action of the mainspring, moves down and punctures the primer - the igniter.
When the torpedo is finally prepared for firing, the contact fuse is connected to the ignition accessory and installed in the upper part of the BZO.
To avoid the explosion of a loaded torpedo from an accidental shock or impact with water, the inertial part of the fuse has a safety device that locks the firing pin. The stopper is connected to a spinner, which begins to rotate when the torpedo begins to move in the water. After the torpedo has covered a distance of about 200 m, the spinner worm unlocks the firing pin and the fuse comes into firing position.
The desire to influence the most vulnerable part of the ship - its bottom, and at the same time ensure non-contact detonation of the BZO charge, which produces a greater destructive effect, led to the creation of a proximity fuse in the 40s.
2.3.3. Proximity fuses for torpedoes
A non-contact fuse (NF) closes the fuse circuit to detonate the BZO charge at the moment the torpedo passes near the target under the influence of one or another physical field of the target on the fuse. In this case, the depth of the anti-ship torpedo is set to several meters greater than the expected draft of the target ship.
The most widely used are acoustic and electromagnetic proximity fuses.
 |
The design and operation of an acoustic NV is illustrated in Fig. 2.19.
The pulse generator (Fig. 2.19, a) produces short-term pulses of electrical oscillations of ultrasonic frequency, following at short intervals. Through a switch, they are supplied to electroacoustic transducers (EAT), which convert electrical vibrations into ultrasonic acoustic vibrations, propagating in water within the zone shown in the figure.
When a torpedo passes near a target (Fig. 2.19, b), reflected acoustic signals will be received from the latter, which are perceived and converted by the EAP into electrical signals. After amplification, they are analyzed in the actuator and stored. Having received several similar reflected signals in a row, the actuator connects the power source to the ignition accessory - the torpedo explodes.
 |
The structure and operation of an electromagnetic NV is illustrated in Fig. 2.20.
The feed (emitting) coil creates an alternating magnetic field. It is perceived by two bow (receiving) coils connected in opposite directions, as a result of which their difference EMF is equal to
zero.
When a torpedo passes near a target that has its own electromagnetic field, the torpedo's field is distorted. The EMF in the receiving coils will become different and a difference EMF will appear. The increased voltage is supplied to the actuator, which supplies power to the torpedo's ignition device.
Modern torpedoes use combined fuses, which are a combination of a contact fuze and one of the types of non-contact fuses.
2.4. Interaction of instruments and torpedo systems
as they move along the trajectory
2.4.1. Purpose, main tactical and technical parameters
steam-gas torpedoes and instrument interaction
and systems during their movement
Steam-gas torpedoes are designed to destroy enemy surface ships, transports and, less commonly, submarines.
The main tactical and technical parameters of steam-gas torpedoes, which are most widely used, are given in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2
Name of torpedo | Speed, Range |
engine la carrier |
torpe yes, kg Explosive mass, kg | Carrier |
defeats |
|||
Domestic |
||||||||
70 or 44 | Turbine | |||||||
Turbine | ||||||||
Turbine | No information ny | |||||||
Foreign |
||||||||
Turbine | ||||||||
Piston howl |
Opening the air lock valve (see Fig. 2.3) before firing a torpedo;
A torpedo shot, accompanied by its movement into the TA;
Folding back the torpedo trigger (see Fig. 2.3) with the trigger hook in the pipe
torpedo tube;
Opening the machine tap;
Supply of compressed air directly to the heading device and roll-leveling device for unwinding the gyro rotors, as well as to the air reducer;
Low-pressure air from the gearbox is supplied to the steering gears, which ensure the shifting of the rudders and ailerons, and to displace water and oxidizer from the reservoirs;
The supply of water to displace fuel from the tank;
Supply of fuel, oxidizer and water to the steam-gas generator;
Ignition of fuel with an incendiary cartridge;
Formation of a steam-gas mixture and its supply to the turbine blades;
Rotation of the turbine, and therefore the screw torpedo;
A torpedo hits the water and begins to move in it;
The action of the depth automatic (see Fig. 2.10), heading device (see Fig. 2.11), roll-leveling device and the movement of the torpedo in the water along the established trajectory;
Counter flows of water rotate the turntable, which, when the torpedo passes 180...250 m, brings the impact fuse into the firing position. This prevents the torpedo from being detonated on the ship and near it by accidental shocks and impacts;
30...40 s after the torpedo is fired, the NV and SSN are turned on;
The SSN begins searching for the CS, emitting pulses of acoustic vibrations;
Having detected the CS (having received reflected impulses) and having passed it, the torpedo turns towards the target (the direction of rotation is entered before the shot);
The SSN ensures maneuvering of the torpedo (see Fig. 2.14);
When a torpedo passes close to a target or hits it, the corresponding fuses are triggered;
Torpedo explosion.
2.4.2. Purpose, main tactical and technical parameters of electric torpedoes and interaction of devices
and systems during their movement
Electric torpedoes are designed to destroy enemy submarines.
The main tactical and technical parameters of electric torpedoes that are most widely used. Shown in table. 2.3.
Table 2.3
Name of torpedo | Speed, Range |
engine carrier |
torpe yes, kg Explosive mass, kg | Carrier |
defeats |
|||
Domestic |
||||||||
Foreign |
||||||||
|
information | ||||||||
|
information ny | ||||||||
* SCAB - silver-zinc rechargeable battery.
The interaction of torpedo components is carried out as follows:
Opening the shut-off valve of the torpedo's high pressure cylinder;
Closing the “+” electrical circuit - before firing;
The firing of a torpedo, accompanied by its movement into the torpedo (see Fig. 2.5);
Closing the starting contactor;
High pressure air supply to the heading device and roll leveling device;
Supply of reduced air into the rubber shell to displace electrolyte from it into a chemical battery (possible option);
Rotation of the electric motor, and therefore the torpedo propellers;
Movement of a torpedo in water;
The action of the depth automatic (Fig. 2.10), heading device (Fig. 2.11), roll-leveling device on the established trajectory of the torpedo;
30...40 s after the torpedo is fired, the NV and the active SCH channel are turned on;
Search for a target using the active SSN channel;
Receiving reflected signals and aiming at a target;
Periodic activation of a passive channel for direction finding of target noise;
Obtaining reliable contact with the target using a passive channel, turning off the active channel;
Aiming a torpedo at a target using a passive channel;
In case of loss of contact with the target, the SSN gives a command to perform a secondary search and guidance;
When a torpedo passes near the target, the NV is triggered;
Torpedo explosion.
2.4.3. Prospects for the development of torpedo weapons
The need to improve torpedo weapons is caused by the constant improvement of the tactical parameters of ships. For example, the diving depth of nuclear submarines reached 900 m, and their speed was 40 knots.
Several ways can be identified along which torpedo weapons should be improved (Fig. 2.21).
Improved tactical parameters of torpedoes
In order for a torpedo to reach a target, it must have a speed of at least 1.5 times greater than the object being attacked (75...80 knots), a cruising range of more than 50 km, and a diving depth of at least 1000 m.
Obviously, the listed tactical parameters are determined by the technical parameters of the torpedoes. Therefore, technical solutions must be considered in this case.
Increasing the speed of a torpedo can be achieved by:
The use of more efficient chemical power sources for electric torpedo engines (magnesium-chlorine-silver, silver-aluminum, using seawater as an electrolyte).
Creation of closed-cycle steam-gas control systems for anti-submarine torpedoes;
Reducing the drag of water (polishing the surface of the torpedo body, reducing the number of its protruding parts, selecting the ratio of length to diameter of the torpedo), since V T is directly proportional to the resistance of water.
Introduction of rocket and hydrojet power systems.
Increasing the range of a DT torpedo is achieved in the same ways as increasing its speed V T, because DT= VТ t, where t is the time of movement of the torpedo, determined by the number of energy components of the ECS.
Increasing the torpedo's stroke depth (or shot depth) requires strengthening the torpedo body. To achieve this, more durable materials must be used, such as aluminum or titanium alloys.
Increasing the likelihood of a torpedo meeting a target
Application in control systems of fiber-optic systems
waters This allows for two-way communication with the torpedo
doi, which means increasing the amount of location information
targets, increase the noise immunity of the communication channel with the torpedo,
reduce the wire diameter;
The creation and use of electroacoustic transforma- tions in the SSN
callers, made in the form of antenna arrays, which will allow
improve the process of target detection and direction finding by a torpedo;
The use of highly integrated electronic torpedoes on board
you computing technology, providing more efficient
work of the CSN;
By increasing the response radius of the SSN by increasing its sensitivity
vigor;
Reducing the influence of countermeasures by using -
in the torpedo of devices that perform spectral
analysis of received signals, their classification and identification
decoys;
The development of SSN based on infrared technology is not subject to
no influence of interference;
Reducing the level of the torpedo’s own noise through perfect
motors (creation of brushless electric motors)
AC motors), rotation transmission mechanisms and
torpedo propellers
Increased probability of hitting a target
The solution to this problem can be achieved:
By detonating a torpedo near the most vulnerable part (for example,
under the keel) of the target, which is ensured by teamwork
SSN and computer;
By detonating a torpedo at such a distance from the target that
maximum impact is achieved shock wave and expand
the explosion of a gas bubble resulting from an explosion;
Creation of a cumulative (directional action) warhead;
Expanding the power range of a nuclear warhead, which
connected both with the target and with one’s own safety -
ny radius. Thus, a charge with a power of 0.01 kt should be used
at a distance of at least 350 m, 0.1 kt - at least 1100 m.
Increasing the reliability of torpedoes
Experience in the operation and use of torpedo weapons shows that after long-term storage, some torpedoes are not capable of performing their assigned functions. This indicates the need to increase the reliability of torpedoes, which is achieved:
Increasing the level of integration of electronic equipment of the torpe -
yes. This ensures increased reliability of electronic devices
properties by 5 – 6 times, reduces occupied volumes, reduces
cost of equipment;
By creating torpedoes of a modular design, which allows for flexible
for sodification, replace less reliable units with more reliable ones;
Improving the technology of manufacturing devices, components and
torpedo systems
Table 2.4
Name of torpedo | Speed, Range |
engine calf Energy carrier |
torpedoes, kg Explosive mass, kg | Carrier |
defeats |
|||
Domestic |
||||||||
Combined CCH | ||||||||
Combined SSN, CCH according to KS | ||||||||
Porsche Neva Unitary | Combined SSN, CCH according to KS | |||||||
No information | ||||||||
Foreign |
||||||||
|
"Barracuda" | Turbine |
End of table. 2.4
Some of the considered paths have already been reflected in a number of torpedoes presented in table. 2.4.
3. TACTICAL PROPERTIES AND BASICS OF COMBAT USE OF TORPEDO WEAPONS
3.1. Tactical properties of torpedo weapons
The tactical properties of any weapon are a set of qualities that characterize combat capabilities weapons.
The main tactical properties of torpedo weapons are:
1. Torpedo range.
2. Its speed.
3. Depth of travel or firing depth of a torpedo.
4. The ability to cause damage to the most vulnerable (underwater) part of the ship. Experience in combat use shows that to destroy a large anti-submarine ship, 1-2 torpedoes are required, a cruiser - 3-4, an aircraft carrier - 5-7, a submarine - 1-2 torpedoes.
5. Stealth of action, which is explained by low noise, tracelessness, and great depth of movement.
6. High efficiency provided by the use of remote control systems, which significantly increases the likelihood of hitting targets.
7. The ability to destroy targets moving at any speed, and submarines moving at any depth.
8. High readiness for combat use.
However, along with positive properties, there are also negative ones:
1. Regarding big time impact on the enemy. For example, even at a speed of 50 knots, a torpedo takes approximately 15 minutes to reach a target located 23 km away. During this period of time, the target has the opportunity to maneuver and use countermeasures (combat and technical) to evade the torpedo.
2. The difficulty of destroying a target at short and long distances. On small ones - due to the possibility of hitting the firing ship, on large ones - due to the limited range of torpedoes.
3.2. Organization and types of training for torpedo weapons
to shooting
The organization and types of preparation of torpedo weapons for firing are determined by the “Rules of Mine Service” (PMS).
Preparation for shooting is divided into:
For preliminary;
The final one.
Preliminary preparation begins with the signal: “Prepare the ship for battle and voyage.” It ends with the mandatory implementation of all regulated actions.
Final preparation begins from the moment the target is detected and target designation is received. Ends when the ship takes the salvo position.
The main actions performed in preparation for shooting are given in the table.
Depending on the shooting conditions, final preparation may be:
Abbreviated;
With little final preparation for aiming the torpedo, only the target bearing and distance are taken into account. The lead angle j is not calculated (j =0).
With shortened final preparation, the bearing to the target, distance and direction of movement of the target are taken into account. In this case, the lead angle j is set equal to some constant value (j=const).
During the full final preparation, the coordinates and parameters of the target's movement (CPDP) are taken into account. In this case, the current value of the lead angle (jTEK) is determined.
3.3. Methods of firing torpedoes and their brief characteristics
There are a number of ways to fire torpedoes. These methods are determined by the technical means with which the torpedoes are equipped.
With an autonomous control system, shooting is possible:
1. To the current target location (NMC), when the lead angle j=0 (Fig. 3.1, a).
2. In the area of probable target location (APTC), when the lead angle j=const (Fig. 3.1, b).
3. To the preemptive target location (UMC), when j=jTEK (Fig. 3.1, c).
 |
In all the presented cases, the trajectory of the torpedo is straight. The highest probability of a torpedo meeting a target is achieved in the third case, however, this method of shooting requires maximum preparation time.
With telecontrol, when the control of the torpedo's movement is adjusted by commands from the ship, the trajectory will be curved. In this case, movement is possible:
1) along a trajectory that ensures that the torpedo is on the torpedo-target line;
2) to the lead point with the lead angle adjusted according to
as the torpedo approaches the target.
When homing, a combination of an autonomous control system with SSN or telecontrol with SSN is used. Therefore, before the start of the SNS response, the torpedo moves in the same way as discussed above, and then, using:
 |
A catch-up type trajectory, when the continuation of the torus axis is all
the time coincides with the direction to the target (Fig. 3.2, a).
The disadvantage of this method is that the torpedo part of its
the path passes in the wake stream, which worsens working conditions
you are the CSN (except for the CSN in the wake).
2. The so-called collision-type trajectory (Fig. 3.2, b), when the longitudinal axis of the torpedo always forms a constant angle b with the direction towards the target. This angle is constant for a specific SSN or can be optimized by the torpedo’s onboard computer.
Bibliography
Theoretical foundations of torpedo weapons/ , . M.: Voenizdat, 1969.
Lobashinsky. /DOSAAF. M., 1986.
Having forgotten the weapon. M.: Voenizdat, 1984.
Sychev weapons /DOSAAF. M., 1984.
High-speed torpedo 53-65: history of creation // Marine collection 1998, No. 5. With. 48-52.
From the history of the development and combat use of torpedo weapons
1. General information about torpedo weapons …………………………………… 4
2. Construction of torpedoes …………………………………………………………… 13
3. Tactical properties and basics of combat use
In the fall of 1984, events occurred in the Barents Sea that could lead to the outbreak of a world war.
To the Soviet combat training area northern fleet unexpectedly an American burst in at full speed missile cruiser. This happened during a torpedo attack by a flight of Mi-14 helicopters. The Americans launched a high-speed motor boat and sent a helicopter into the air for cover. The Severomorsk aviators realized that their goal was to capture the newest Soviet torpedoes.
The duel over the sea lasted almost 40 minutes. With maneuvers and air flows from the propellers, the Soviet pilots did not allow the annoying Yankees to get closer to the secret product until the Soviet pilots safely lifted it on board. The escort ships that arrived in time by this time pushed the American ships out of the training ground.
Torpedoes have always been considered the most effective weapon domestic fleet. It is no coincidence that NATO intelligence services regularly hunt for their secrets. Russia continues to be the world leader in the amount of know-how used in the creation of torpedoes.
Modern torpedo a formidable weapon for modern ships and submarines. It allows you to quickly and accurately strike the enemy at sea. By definition, a torpedo is an autonomous, self-propelled and guided underwater projectile, which contains about 500 kg of explosive or nuclear power. combat unit. The secrets of the development of torpedo weapons are the most protected, and the number of states that own these technologies is even less than the number of members of the “nuclear club”.
During Korean War in 1952 the Americans planned to drop two atomic bombs each weighing 40 tons. At this time, a Soviet fighter regiment was operating on the side of the Korean troops. The Soviet Union also had nuclear weapon, and a local conflict could escalate into a real nuclear disaster at any moment. Information about the Americans' intentions to use atomic bombs has become available Soviet intelligence. In response, Joseph Stalin ordered the development of more powerful thermonuclear weapons to be accelerated. Already in September of the same year, the Minister of Shipbuilding Industry Vyacheslav Malyshev presented a unique project to Stalin for approval.
Vyacheslav Malyshev proposed creating a huge nuclear torpedo T-15. This 24-meter 1550 millimeter caliber projectile was supposed to weigh 40 tons, of which only 4 tons were the warhead. Stalin approved the creation torpedoes, the energy for which was produced by electric batteries.
This weapon could destroy large US naval bases. Due to increased secrecy, builders and nuclear engineers did not consult with representatives of the fleet, so no one thought about how to service and shoot such a monster, in addition, the US Navy had only two bases available for Soviet torpedoes, so they abandoned the T-15 supergiant.
In replacement, the sailors proposed creating a conventional-caliber atomic torpedo that could be used on all. It is interesting that the caliber of 533 millimeters is generally accepted and scientifically proven, since the caliber and length are actually the potential energy of the torpedo. It was possible to covertly strike at a potential enemy only at long distances, so designers and sailors gave priority to thermal torpedoes.
On October 10, 1957, the first underwater nuclear tests were carried out in the Novaya Zemlya area. torpedoes caliber 533 millimeters. The new torpedo was fired by the submarine S-144. From a distance of 10 kilometers, the submarine fired one torpedo salvo. Soon, at a depth of 35 meters, a powerful nuclear explosion, its damaging properties were recorded by hundreds of sensors located on the test area. It is interesting that the crews during this most dangerous element were replaced by animals.
As a result of these tests, the navy received the first nuclear torpedo 5358. They belonged to the thermal class, since their engines ran on vapors of a gas mixture.
The atomic epic is only one page from the history of Russian torpedo production. More than 150 years ago, the idea to create the first self-propelled sea mine or the torpedo was put forward by our compatriot Ivan Aleksandrovsky. Soon, under command, a torpedo was used for the first time in the world in a battle with the Turks in January 1878. And at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet designers created the highest speed torpedo in the world, 5339, which means 53 centimeters and 1939. However, the real dawn of domestic torpedo building schools occurred in the 60s of the last century. Its center was TsNI 400, later renamed Gidropribor. Over the past period, the institute has transferred 35 different samples to the Soviet fleet torpedoes.
In addition to submarines, naval aviation and all classes of surface ships of the rapidly developing USSR fleet were armed with torpedoes: cruisers, destroyers and patrol ships. Unique torpedo boats carrying these weapons also continued to be built.
At the same time, the NATO bloc was constantly replenished with ships with higher characteristics. So in September 1960, the world's first nuclear-powered Enterprise was launched, with a displacement of 89,000 tons, with 104 nuclear weapons on board. To combat carrier strike groups with strong anti-submarine defenses, the range of existing weapons was no longer sufficient.
Only submarines could approach the aircraft carriers undetected, but it was extremely difficult to conduct targeted fire at the escort ships covered by them. In addition, during the Second World War, the American fleet learned to counter the torpedo homing system. To solve this problem, Soviet scientists, for the first time in the world, created a new torpedo device that detected the wake of a ship and ensured its further destruction. However, thermal torpedoes had a significant drawback: their characteristics dropped sharply at great depths, while their piston engines and turbines made loud noise, which unmasked the attacking ships.
In view of this, designers had to solve new problems. This is how the aircraft torpedo appeared, which was placed under the body of a cruise missile. As a result, the time required to defeat submarines was reduced several times. The first such complex was called “Metel”. It was designed to fire against submarines from patrol ships. Later, the complex learned to hit surface targets. Submarines were also armed with missile torpedoes.
In the 70s, the US Navy reclassified its aircraft carriers from attack carriers to multi-purpose ones. To do this, the composition of the aircraft based on them was replaced in favor of anti-submarine ones. Now they could not only carry out air strikes on the territory of the USSR, but also actively counteract the deployment of Soviet submarines in the ocean. To break through defenses and destroy multi-purpose carrier strike groups, Soviet submarines began to arm themselves cruise missiles, launched from torpedo tubes and flying hundreds of kilometers. But even these long-range weapons could not sink the floating airfield. More powerful charges were required, so the Gidropribor designers created a torpedo with an increased caliber of 650 millimeters, which carries more than 700 kilograms of explosives, especially for nuclear-powered ships of the “Gidropribor” type.
This sample is used in the so-called dead zone of its anti-ship missiles. It aims at the target either independently or receives information from external target designation sources. In this case, the torpedo can approach the enemy simultaneously with other weapons. It is almost impossible to defend against such a massive attack. This earned her the nickname “aircraft carrier killer.”
In their daily affairs and worries, Soviet people did not think about the dangers associated with the confrontation between the superpowers. But the equivalent of about 100 tons of US military equipment was aimed at each of them. The bulk of these weapons were carried into the world's oceans and placed on underwater carriers. The main weapon of the Soviet fleet against were anti-submarine torpedoes. Traditionally, they used electric motors, the power of which did not depend on the depth of travel. Not only submarines, but also surface ships were armed with such torpedoes. The most powerful of them were. For a long time, the most common anti-submarine torpedoes for submarines were SET-65, but in 1971, designers for the first time used telecontrol, which was carried out underwater by wire. This dramatically increased the submarine's shooting accuracy. And soon the universal electric torpedo USET-80 was created, which could effectively destroy not only surface ships, but also surface ships. She developed a high speed of more than 40 knots and had a long range. In addition, it struck at a depth inaccessible to any NATO anti-submarine forces - over 1000 meters.
In the early 90s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the factories and testing grounds of the Gidropribor Institute ended up on the territory of seven new sovereign states. Most businesses were looted. But scientific works there was no interruption in the creation of a modern underwater gun in Russia.
ultra-small combat torpedo
Like drones aircraft torpedo weapons will be in increasing demand in the coming years. Today Russia is building warships fourth generation, and one of their features is an integrated weapon control system. Small-sized thermal and universal deep-sea torpedoes. Their engine runs on unitary fuel, which is essentially liquid gunpowder. When it burns, colossal energy is released. This torpedo universal. It can be used from surface ships, submarines, and also be part of the combat units of aviation anti-submarine systems.
Technical characteristics of a universal deep-sea homing torpedo with remote control (UGST):
Weight - 2200 kg;
Charge weight - 300 kg;
Speed - 50 knots;
Travel depth - up to 500 m;
Range - 50 km;
Homing radius - 2500 m;
Recently, the US fleet has been replenished with the latest Virginia-class nuclear submarines. Their ammunition includes 26 modernized Mk 48 torpedoes. When fired, they rush to a target located at a distance of 50 kilometers at a speed of 60 knots. The working depths of the torpedo for the purpose of invulnerability to the enemy are up to 1 kilometer. The Russian multi-purpose submarine Project 885 “Yasen” is intended to become an opponent of these submarines under water. Its ammunition capacity is 30 torpedoes, and its currently secret characteristics are in no way inferior.
And in conclusion, I would like to note that torpedo weapons contain a lot of secrets, for each of which a potential enemy in battle will have to pay a high price.
