Swedish-made submarines are famous for their silent abilities. Using the AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) propulsion system, it allows Swedish submarines to dive longer, Forbes said. But the ability of AIP on submarines is common, because many submarines in other countries are already using it. And now Swedish submarines have another unique ability and are still shrouded in secret.
Swedish submarines are now equipped with special lightweight torpedoes, which allow the submarine to launch two torpedoes at once in one launch tube.
Like many topics in underwater warfare, the ability to launch a double torpedo is still mysterious and quiet. But slowly news of this ability crept out, especially in Sweden, but it is still unknown. And some detailed capabilities are still kept secret.
The weapons used are torpedoes which are smaller than standard torpedoes, but larger than other 'light' torpedoes. Torpedoes can be optimized to kill enemy submarines, but the latest variants can also be used against small battleships and even enemy torpedoes.
Another unique thing is that this torpedo uses a wire guidance system, a feature usually only found on larger torpedoes. This allows the submarine to guide the torpedo to the target. If the wire is broken, or cut, the torpedo will enter the 'fire and forget' mode using its own sonar system.
The wire guidance system proved to be more reliable than the 'fire and forget' system in the limited and overcrowded Baltic sea. Torpedoes can be guided around the island to reach targets on the other side.
These two small torpedoes can be loaded into one torpedo tube, one behind the other. One or two torpedoes can then be launched. So the effective number of torpedo launches can double. In practice, Swedish submarines are equipped with a combination of 21-inch torpedo tubes (533mm) for heavyweight torpedoes and 15.75 inches (400mm) tubes for special lightweight torpedoes.
This mixed torpedo loading allows the Gotland Class submarine to fire up to 8 torpedoes at once even though it only has 6 torpedo tubes (4 heavyweight torpedoes and 4 light torpedoes). On the Nacken class submarine which has 8 torpedo tubes, it can launch 10 torpedoes at once (6 heavy torpedoes and 4 light).
Not only Sweden who want to operate lightweight dual torpedoes on submarines, other countries are also looking for similar capabilities. The US Navy compiled the concept of the Common Very Lightweight Torpedo (CVLWT) more than 10 years ago. The weapon appears to have been turned into VLWT (Very Lightweight Torpedo), which was recently launched by Northrop Grumman NOC.
Although this capability has been proposed for other countries' submarines in the future, Sweden might be at the forefront with unique capabilities for the next few years.
CREDIT and RESPECT TO THE FOLLOWING SOURCE : jakartagreater.com/
Editing : UPDATE_DEFENSE
Hopefully this news is useful to increase knowledge in the field of military defense.
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