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The Black Shark is a heavyweight torpedo developed by WASS of Italy.
| Black Shark | |
|---|---|
 Indonesian navy submarine KRI Alugoro during a torpedo loading-unloading training exercise, handling a Black Shark heavyweight torpedo. | |
| Type | Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2004–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Leonardo |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 6.3 m (21 ft) |
| Diameter | 533 mm (21.0 in) |
| Effective firing range | 50 km (27 nmi) |
| Warhead | High explosive STANAG 4439 and MURAT-2 compliant |
| Warhead weight | ~350 kg |
Detonation mechanism | Various |
| Engine | Contra-rotating direct-drive brushless motor |
| Propellant | Al-AgO battery |
| Maximum speed | 50 knots (93 km/h) (unclassified) |
Launch platform | Submarine |
Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Italy developed the Black Shark torpedo as an evolution of the A184, with more advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) abilities and sonar. The advancements in electric motor design and battery allowed an increase in both range and speed.[1]
The Black Shark torpedo offers fiberoptic wire for increased bandwidth and signal processing ability compared to copper wire-guided torpedo types. The sonar capability include non-doppler shifted target discrimination and multi-frequency capability that features advanced spatial and angular analysis abilities.[2] The design goal for the torpedo was 300% improvement of passive acquisition and 200% active acquisition with its sonar system.[3] The brushless motor design coupled with the aluminum-silver oxide (Al-AgO) battery gives the system a top speed 50+ knots (93+ km/h; 58+ mph), and a range of 50 km (27 nmi; 31 mi), performance envelope.[1] Like all other battery powered HWTs, the battery power system does not suffer the loss of performance of Otto fuel II types at greater depths since there is no exhaust to deal with at greater pressures. The result is a 150% improvement in speed and 200% in torpedo endurance.[3]
Meanwhile, in Italy, WASS is developing NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced), new future torpedo for the Italian Navy as result of government program A/R SMD 1/2010[4] for development new BSA torpedoes for 87.5 million euros, within 2020:
- On 12 January 2014, first test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè[5]
- On 19 June 2014, second test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè[6]
BSA will arm Italian Todaro-class submarines, with about 80 torpedoes expected.
NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced will be on board new Italian Navy PPA vessels (Full version), with two launchers under the flight deck. Warhead weight = 350/400 kg.
- O'Higgins class (100 in 2003) [7]
- Thompson class
- Shiri class (16 in 2012 for 24.6 million euros)[8]
- Nagapasa class (29 in 2019)[9]
- Todaro class - all batches (BSA - Black Shark Advanced -; planned about 80 torpedoes for 4 U212A)
- Tunku Abdul Rahman class (30 in 2003 for 90 million euros) [10][11][12]
- Tridente class (24 in 2005 for 47 million euros)[13][14]
- Archer class (50 in 2012)[15]
- DM2A4 Seehecht - German torpedo
- F21 French torpedo
- Mark 48 - US torpedo
- Spearfish - British torpedo
- Varunastra - Indian torpedo
- Yu-6 - Chinese torpedo
- A184 - previous Italian heavy torpedo
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