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The Superkavitierender Unterwasserlaufkörper (lit. Supercavitating Underwater Running Body, formerly known as Barracuda) was a German close-range supercavitating torpedo technology demonstrator[1] designed by the Diehl BGT Defence (now Diehl Defence) and developed in cooperation with the German Navy. The supercavitating torpedo for a "close-range defense of underwater targets"[1] was presented to the public in 2005 as a prototype, but it never went into development and procurement.[3]
| Superkavitierender Unterwasserlaufkörper lit. Supercavitating Underwater Running Body Formerly known as Barracuda | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Supercavitating torpedo |
| Place of origin |  Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | Prototype-only |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Diehl BGT Defence (now Diehl Defence) |
| Designed | 2005 |
| No. built | ~12[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Engine | Rocket engine |
| Propellant | Solid fuel[1] |
| Maximum speed | 400 km/h (250 mph; 220 kn)[1] |
Guidance system | Inertial measurement unit (IMU),[1] sonar[2] |
Steering system | Actuator-based conical tip[1] |
Launch platform | Submarines, surface vessels[1] |
This form of torpedo solves the problem of high underwater drag by means of the supercavitation effect,[1][3] where underwater at a velocity of around 180 km/h (110 mph; 97 kn) a cavity filled with steam surrounds the moving object.[3] Only the tip is in contact with the water,[3] as such the frictional resistance is greatly reduced.[3] The propulsion of such a torpedo can no longer be done by a propeller but requires a rocket engine.
Guidance is based on an inertial measurement unit (IMU)[1] and a sonar antenna array integrated into the structure of the cavitation-forming conical tip located in the head section of the torpedo.[2] Steering is performed by an autopilot that pivots this conical tip using actuators.[1][2]
If the torpedo rises or falls, the water pressure acting on it also changes, and the cavitation bubble changes. When sinking, the water pressure increases and the bubble is compressed; when the torpedo rises, the pressure drops and the bubble gets bigger. To maintain the integrity of the bubble in response to increasing water pressure, the torpedo begins to pump a greater volume of gas.[citation needed]
According to the manufacturer, the torpedo reaches a speed of over 400 km/h (250 mph; 220 kn) underwater.[1] It is not dependent on the launch from submarines but can dive into the water from the air and continue its supercavitation trip from there.
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VA-111 Shkval — comparable Soviet torpedo from 1977.
Hoot — Iranian model reverse-engineered from the Soviet Shkval.
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