R & D Status Quo and Perspective of Lightweight Supercavitating Torpedo in Germany

An experimental supercavitating torpedo in Germany has achieved progress in speed and agility. The inertial guided supercavitating torpedo has successfully run at a velocity well over 200 kn. The torpedo is canard controlled. A cascaded roll-pitch control system incorporated directly in the nose of the torpedo enables very high turning rate. The internal subsystems like inertial navigation, autopilot-electronics, mechanisms and sonar components are designed to withstand high gravity environment and high jerks. Due to its high speed and the applied rocket propulsion technology,the torpedo can be well applied to short range underwater defence, High speed, fast reaction and high maneuverability support short range applications to surface ships and submarines.