The Black Shark is a heavyweight

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, su ...

developed by

WASS Wass or WASS may refer to: People * Wass de Czege, a Hungarian noble family in Transylvania In arts and entertainment * Albert Wass (1908–1998), Hungarian nobleman, forest engineer, novelist, poet and member of the Wass de Czege family * Ashle ...

of Italy.

Development

Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Italy developed the Black Shark torpedo as an evolution of the A184, with more advanced ECCM abilities and sonar. The advancements in electric motor design and battery allowed an increase in both range and speed.

Features

The Black Shark torpedo offers fibre optic 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. The design goal for the torpedo was 300% improvement of passive acquisition and 200% active acquisition with its sonar system. The brushless motor design coupled with the aluminum-silver oxide (Al-AgO) battery gives the system a top speed , and a range of 50 km, performance envelope. 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.

NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced

Meanwhile, in Italy,

is developing NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced), new future torpedo for the

Italian Navy "Fatherland and Honour" , patron = , colors = , colors_label = , march = ( is the return of soldiers to their barrack, or sailors to their ship after a ...

as result of government program A/R SMD 1/2010 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'' * On 19 June 2014, second test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK ''Scirè'' BSA will arm

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

''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.

Users

* ''O'Higgins'' class (100 in 2003) * ''Thompson'' class * ''Shiri'' class (16 in 2012 for 24.6 million euros) * ''Nagapasa'' class * ''Todaro'' class - all batches (BSA - Black Shark Advanced -; planned about 80 torpedoes) * ''Tunku Abdul Rahman'' class (30 in 2003 for 90 million euros) * (24 in 2005 for 47 million euros) *

References

External links