DM2A4

DM2A4 Seehecht (export designation "SeaHake mod 4" [1]) is the latest heavyweight torpedo developed by Atlas Elektronik for the German Navy, as a further update of DM2 (Deutsches Modell 2) torpedo which was released in 1976.

DM2A4
TypeTorpedo
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service2004
Used byGermany, Greece, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Israel, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela
Production history
DesignerAtlas Elektronik
Specifications
Length6.6 m (22 ft)
Diameter533mm
Muzzle velocity123 metres per second (400 ft/s)
Maximum firing range50 kilometres (27 nmi)
WarheadPBX
Warhead weight260 kg
Detonation
mechanism
Proximity or contact detonation
EngineElectrical silver-zinc oxide batteries
Maximum speed 50 knots (93 km/h)
Guidance
system
Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar
Launch
platform
submarine

Description

Being the successor of the DM2A3, it features an advanced electrical propulsion system and a fiber optic cable for torpedo guidance and communication, which, in conjunction with advanced signals processing and mission logic, makes the torpedo largely countermeasure resistant.[2] The DM2A4/SeaHake mod 4 is the first torpedo ever to be guided by a fiber optic wire.[3] With a fully digital system architecture, increased range and speed and its new conformal array sonar with a very wide panoramic sensor angle as well as the additional wake homing sensor, the DM2A4/SeaHake mod 4 provides greatly advanced performance over its predecessor. The homing head shell is a hydrodynamic optimised parabolic shape which aims to reduce torpedo self-noise and cavitation to an absolute minimum. The homing head's conformal transducer array permits detection angles of +/-100° in the horizontal and +/-24° in the vertical, therefore supporting larger acquisition angles in comparison to traditional flat arrays. The wide angle array is designed to reduce maneuvering when in search and reconnaissance stages, therefore also reducing self-noise and preserving battery power.

The weapon has a modular design that includes up to four silver zinc battery modules and is able to achieve a range of more than 50 km (27 nmi) and a speed exceeding 92.6 km/h (50 kn) powered by a high frequency permanent magnet motor, with a closed-loop cooling system independent from the environment. Exact performance data are classified.[4] The torpedo design template may also be used as the basis for ROV.[2] The weapon is armed with a 260 kg PBX, (RDX–aluminium) warhead (equivalent to 460 kg of TNT) with magnetic influence and contact fuzes.[2] The charge and fuse are insensitive and electromagnetic pulse safe.

The weapon has a length of 6.6 m when configured with 4 battery modules, and is respectively shorter when configured with either 3 or 2 battery modules depending upon the requirement of the operating unit. Diameter of the unit is 533 mm.

Service history

The torpedo is in service with the German Navy Type 212 submarines, has been delivered to the Pakistan Navy for service in the Agosta 90B submarines, has been selected by the Spanish Navy for its new S80A submarines and has been sold to other operators worldwide.[5][6][7]

In May 2018, Hellenic Navy released a Request For Information letter (RFI), asking various companies for acquiring 533mm heavy torpedoes for its four Type 214 Papanikolis submarines plus one updated Type 209 AIP Okeanos.[8] In October 2020, DM2A4 was chosen as the preferred solution, with a program consisting of 36 DM2A4, plus refurbish of number of older SUT Mod0 to Mod4 standard, plus extra batteries for older SST torpedoes / SUT Mod0 torpedoes, with a total cost of 105m euro.[9] In September 2021, the contract was modified, with a program consisting of 44 DM2A4, without refurbishment of a number of older SUT Mod0 to Mod4 standard, plus extra batteries for older SST torpedoes / SUT Mod0 torpedoes, with a total cost of 110m euro.[10]

Operators

The SeaHake Mod 4 torpedo is in service with eighteen countries and over 300 torpedoes (as of 2015)[11] have been delivered:

See also

References
  1. "dmkn-beta.de" (PDF). www.dmkn-beta.de.
  2. DiGiulian, Tony. "World War II Torpedoes of Germany - NavWeaps". www.navweaps.com.
  3. "Todays Torpedoes [Archive] - SUBSIM® Radio Room Forums". www.subsim.com.
  4. "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's - IHS". articles.janes.com.
  5. "Uboot-Torpedos" (in German). German Navy. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  6. "ATLAS Elektronik GmbH at IDEAS 2014 in Karachi". Naval Forces. 28 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  7. Cordesman, Anthony H.; Nerguizian, Aram; Popescu, Inout C. (2008). Israel and Syria: The Military Balance and Prospects of War. Praeger Security International. p. 127. ISBN 978-0313355202.
  8. "Greece Releases RFI for New Heavy Torpedoes". Archived from the original on 10 June 2018.
  9. "ΕΠΙΤΕΛΟΥΣ: Υπογραφή σύμβασης για τις τορπίλες των υποβρυχίων, σε συνολική λύση πήγε το ΠΝ!". 31 October 2020.
  10. "EΞΕΛΙΞΗ: Έκλεισε το θέμα των τορπιλών υποβρυχίων, 44 νέες τορπίλες για τα ελληνικά Type 214HN". 4 September 2021.
  11. Ben Goodlad; Luca Peruzzi; Richard Scott (2015). "Big hitters: heavyweight torpedoes follow an incremental course" (PDF). Jane's 360. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017..
  12. "Υπογράφηκε τελικά η σύμβαση για την προμήθεια των νέων βαρέων τορπιλών για τα υποβρύχια". pronews.gr. 31 March 2022.
  13. results, search; Nerguizian, Aram; Popescu, Inout C. (30 July 2008). Israel and Syria: The Military Balance and Prospects of War. Praeger. ISBN 978-0313355202.
  14. The Military Balance 2021. International Institute for Strategic Studies. p. 291.
  15. Infodefensa.com (11 December 2010). "El Gobierno aplaza un año la adquisición de torpedos por los retrasos que acumula el S-80 - Noticias Infodefensa España".

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