The APR-3E airborne light
ASW acoustic homing
torpedo
A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target. Historically, s ...
is designed by Russian
Tactical Missiles Corporation
, type = Joint-stock company
, location =
, industry = Defense industry Aerospace industrySpace industry
, founded =
, founder =
, hq_location_city = Korolyov, Moscow Oblast
, hq_location_country = Russia
, area_served = worldwide
, key_pe ...
JSC to engage current and future submarines at depth from the surface down to 800 metres at speed of up to 43+ knots, and it is a replacement for earlier APR-2 light antisubmarine acoustic homing torpedo.
APR-3E airborne light antisubmarine acoustic homing torpedo is designed to be carried by a various fixed wing and rotary wing platforms including
Tu-142
The Tupolev Tu-142 (russian: Туполев Ту-142; NATO reporting name: Bear F/J) is a Soviet/Russian maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft derived from the Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber. A specialised commun ...
,
Il-38,
Ka-28
The Kamov Ka-27 ( NATO reporting name 'Helix') is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy, and currently in service in various countries including Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and India. Variants include the Ka-2 ...
and other aircraft. The torpedo requires at least 100 metres depth of water for the initial air-drop and can be deployed in conditions up to sea state 6.
Once entering water, the control surfaces of the torpedo enable the torpedo to travel in a spiral path with the help of gravity without starting the engine. During this stage, the acoustic seeker of the
torpedo
A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target. Historically, s ...
searches for targets. Once the target is identified, the engine starts and solid propellant rocket engine ensures the target has virtually very little or no time to react, thus increasing the kill probability.
Newest version of this torpedo is the APR-3M, with modified characteristics. Trials of the APR-3M missile have been completed, the process of its serial production has been organized and its deliveries to the
Ministry of Defence of Russia
The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (russian: Министерство обороны Российской Федерации, Минобороны России, informally abbreviated as МО, МО РФ or Minoboron) is the govern ...
are underway as of May 2019.
Users: Russia purchased a small number of APR-3 for
its navy, while China was reported to be the first export customer when APR-3E was part of the Chinese
Be-200 ASW aircraft purchase package.
Specifications
*Designation: APR-3E light
ASW torpedo
A modern torpedo is an underwater ranged weapon launched above or below the water surface, self-propelled towards a target, and with an explosive warhead designed to detonate either on contact with or in proximity to the target. Historically, s ...
(Manufacturer calls the weapon as a missile instead)
*Manufacturer: Region Scientific and Production Enterprise JSC division of the Tactical Missiles Corporation Joint Stock Co.
*Speed: > 56
kn
*Range: > 3 km
*Diameter: 350 mm
*Length: 3.685 m
*Weight: 525 kg (another 25 kg for accessory for aircraft deployment)
*Propulsion: solid-propellant rocket-powered turbo-waterjet
*Fuze: impact and proximity
*Warhead: 74 kg
*Seeker: acoustic
*Seeker range: 1.5 km – 2 km
*Maximum target speed: > 43 kn
See also
*
A244-S
The A244-s is an Italian lightweight, fire-and-forget torpedo employed for anti-submarine warfare. It can be launched from surface vessels or from aircraft, and locates the target by means of an acoustic seeker.
Description
The torpedo uses ...
- Italian equivalent
*
Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo
The Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo (formerly known as Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo, or LHT) is a standard anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedo used by the United States Navy.
Development
The Mark 54 was co-developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense ...
- US Navy's equivalent
*
MU90 Impact - French/Italian equivalent
*
Sting Ray (torpedo)
The Sting Ray is a British acoustic homing lightweight torpedo (LWT) manufactured by GEC-Marconi, who were later bought out by BAE Systems. It entered service in 1983.
Design and development
In the 1950s the Royal Navy was equipped with Br ...
- British equivalent
*
TAL Shyena - Indian equivalent
*
Yu-7 torpedo
The Yu-7 (; from ) is a lightweight torpedo developed by the People's Republic of China. It entered service in the 1990s as the principal anti-submarine weapon of major People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships. The Yu-7 is a derivative of the ...
- Chinese equivalent
*
K745 Chung Sang Eo - South Korean equivalent
*
Type 97 light weight torpedo (G-RX4)
The Type 97 Torpedo (97式短魚雷, 97 Shiki Tan Gyorai) is a short-range torpedo developed and built by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. This type of torpedo, like many other modern Japanese wea ...
- Japanese equivalent
References
{{Reflist
APR-3E"Development of Rocket Torpedoes" Geoff Kirby (2000)
Torpedoes of Russia
Aerial torpedoes
Tactical Missiles Corporation products
Military equipment introduced in the 2000s