SUT torpedo
Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo
OriginWest Germany / Germany (since 1990)
Is rangedyes
Is missileyes
Service1980-Present
ManufacturerAtlas Elektronik
VariantsMod 1, Mod 2
Mass1,419 kilograms (3,128 lb)
Diameter533 mm
Max range30 kilometres (16 nmi)
Filling weight259 kilograms (571 lb)
DetonationProximity or contact detonation
EngineElectrical batteries
Speed35 knots (65 km/h)
GuidanceWire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar

The AEG SUT 264 is a West Germany / German (since 1990) dual-purpose 21 inch heavyweight wire-guided torpedo produced by Atlas Elektronik, which entered service in 1980.[1][2][3] The torpedo is primarily produced for export and has been sold to numerous countries.[4][2]

Description

SUT stands for Surface and Underwater Target.[5] It is a dual-purpose weapon that can be launched from surface ships, submarines, and shore positions.[6]

Mod 2

The SUT Mod 2 has as special feature that it can send additional data, including audio, from the homing head back to the vessel it launched from.[2] It has been compared favorably to the Chinese Yu-4 and Yu-6.[7]

Production

In 1986 Indonesia signed a contract to obtain a license for long-term indigenous production of the SUT torpedo.[1][2] A production line was set up in Indonesia with the cooperation of the Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Aerospace.[citation needed] Taiwan received 200 torpedoes from this production line in 1998.[8]

Service history

Chile

In 2004 the Chilean Scorpène-class submarine O'Higgins fired a SUT while running at depth during its acceptance tests off Lorient, France.[9]

India

In 2013 OEM Atlas Elektronik was contracted to upgrade the 64 SUTs remaining in Indian service.[10]

The SUT was the first torpedo fired by the Kalvari-class submarine because of a lack of procurement of planned heavyweight torpedoes.[6] A planned purchase of Black Shark torpedoes fell through because their manufacturer Finmeccanica was blacklisted by the Indian government for procurement corruption.[11]

Taiwan

The SUT was originally procured along with the two Hai Lung-class submarines.[12] The torpedoes were procured from the Indonesian production line. In addition to money Taiwan exchanged landing craft and 100,000 tons of rice for the torpedoes.[3]

On September 4, 2003 a war shot SUT fired by a submarine during the Hankuang No. 19 training exercise broke its control wires and went out of control. The torpedo was recovered four hours later from a Yilan County beach. Representatives of the manufacturer traveled to Taiwan to participate in the incident investigation.[13] On October 8 the Navy tested a second torpedo with satisfactory results. On October 14 the Navy held a full test in Pingtung County, the first torpedo experienced similar problems to the one on September 4 but the issue was resolved and a second torpedo successfully destroyed the target, a decommissioned Yang-class destroyer.[14]

In 2010 the Taiwanese Navy offered a reward to local fishermen for the recovery of a training SUT lost during an exercise.[15] The SUT will be replaced by the Mk 48 torpedo in Taiwanese service.[16]

Users

See also

References

  1. ^ Friedman (1991), p. 696.
  2. ^ Watts (1997), p. 201.
  3. ^ Hsu, Tso-Juei. "Taiwan's First Indigenous Submarine To Be Launched Ahead Of Schedule". www.navalnews.com. Naval News. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  4. ^ Zimmerman (2000), p. 133.
  5. ^ Shay, Shaul. "Egypt's New Modern Submarine Fleet". israeldefense.co.il. Israel Defense. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Indian Navy Scorpene-class Submarines in Sea Trials & SUT Torpedo Firing Test". navyrecognition.com. Navy Recognition. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Could South Korea's Submarine 'Sink' North Korea in a War?". nationalinterest.org. The National Interest. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  8. ^ "TRADE REGISTERS". sipri.or. SIPRI. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  9. ^ Direction des Constructions Navales. "Torpedo Firing Tests at Depth: Scorpene Scores". defense-aerospace.com. Defense Aerospace. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  10. ^ Panda, Ankit. "India To Upgrade Submarine Capabilities". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  11. ^ "Navy may consider German SUT torpedoes for Kalvari submarines, instead of Finmeccanica's 'Black Sharks'". economictimes.indiatimes.com. The Economic Times. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  12. ^ Sofia Wu, Zep Hu and. "Taiwan planning to replace aging torpedoes: Defense News". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  13. ^ Hsu, Brian. "Manufacturers puzzled by navy's errant torpedo". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  14. ^ Hsu, Brian. "Navy relieved as torpedo hits target". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Taiwan navy offers £630 reward to fishermen for missing torpedo". /www.telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Taiwan budgets $860 million for torpedoes". www.upi.com. UPI. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  17. ^ "SUT Torpedo - Archived 12/2007". forecastinternational.com. Forecast International. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  18. ^ L. Valmas, Theodore. "Hellenic Navy torpedo, helicopter programmes move ahead". janes.com. Janes. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  19. ^ Martin, Guy. "ARMSCOR SEEKING TORPEDOES FOR TYPE 209 SUBMARINES". cadefence.com. CA Defense. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.

Bibliography

  • Friedman, Norman (1991). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1991/1992. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-288-5.
  • Watts, Anthony J. (ed.) (1997). Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems 1997-1998. Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1561-2.
  • Zimmerman, Stan (2000). Submarine Technology for the 21st Century. 2nd ed. Victoria, British Columbia: Trafford Publishing. ISBN 1-55212-330-8.

Further reading

  • Archer, Dennis (ed.) (1976). Jane's Pocket Book Of Naval Armament. New York: Collier Books.