New long-range digital torpedo tested by IDF Navy
The almost fully operational ‘heavy torpedo’ is more accurate, has a longer range, operates deep under water and avoids being tricked by enemy's systems; test was labeled as a seminal event occuring 'once a decade'.
Another series of tests on a smaller scale will be conducted in the future in order to officially declare the torpedo as fully operational.
The torpedo is significantly more accurate than its predecessors and can reach greater distances not only on land but also near vessels in enemy ports and under the sea. The new missile system will soon be integrated into five existing submarines and into a sixth one at a later date once its construction is completed in Germany.
As part of the series of tests, which the IDF decided to disclose to the general public and to its enemies, vessles simulating enemy ships were attacked in Israel’s sovereign waters, as well as targets on land.
According to a senior IDF Navy official, one of the main advantages of the torpedo is the fact that it is digital, unlike the older models, which enhances its accuracy. It also improves control over the missile and allows for the future integration of improvements as software develops.
“We’re talking about the primary underwater missile of our submarine fleet. This is a capability that emulates what we are doing in the world of submarines. That is to say, a capability to damage a target from a range that exceeds the distance of detection of submarines to underwater submarine targets,” said the senior official.
“It has the capability to strike targets at various speeds—either static or those travelling at full speed, also in shallow waters. This gives us an immediate response and significantly improves the capabilities of the current torpedo,” said the Navy officer.
“The upgrade is about sophistication and range," he explained. "The missile would be considered a long-range torpedo by international standards ... The missile's sonar systems are digital unlike the previous model which gives us a lot of flexibility. This is a seminal event which occurs in the IDF Navy once a decade.”
The torpedo can remain operational hundreds of meters under water and one of the most most important parts of the latest test included combining the it with the missile systems of the submarines, which did not limit any of its advantages, the official stated.
“The torpedo also has the capability to deal with deception mechanisms, since the underwater world is becoming very similar to the one above it,” the official claims.
The submarine fleet has recently been largely involved in “interwar” missions which are intended to deter the Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. Lately, over 60 percent of the submarines’ time in the sea has been allocated for missions, which include intelligence gathering and training.
“The submarines will always be an irreplaceable strategic tool for Israel’s security. They represent our main underwater attacking force," the senior officer said.
"Once the torpedo is equipped with an air-independent propulsion capability in our submarines, we would be able to remain underwater for days. Then its added value will be even greater,” he boasted.
The submarines are also expected to be upgraded in the future in order to minimize the possibility of being located and identified by enemies.
“In the past only the acoustic signature played a part when it came to secrecy, meaning the noise created by the submarine could be caught by the enemy’s sonar. Today, however, more and more sonar systems recognize other active sonars from a distance. Therefore, we’ll change the way the submarines are built in the first place,” concluded the Navy official.
