YŎ-53/19 torpedo: Difference between revisions
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# At regular intervals, the torpedo ascends in depth, extends its mast above the surface, and takes a brief {{wp|Satellite_navigation|Constellation SATNAV}} reading to correct its location and bearing information. Between SATNAV checks, the torpedo runs underwater with the mast retracted, to avoid revealing its location visually or on radar. | # At regular intervals, the torpedo ascends in depth, extends its mast above the surface, and takes a brief {{wp|Satellite_navigation|Constellation SATNAV}} reading to correct its location and bearing information. Between SATNAV checks, the torpedo runs underwater with the mast retracted, to avoid revealing its location visually or on radar. | ||
# As it approaches a harbor or shallow area, the torpedo switches to terrain-following mode, using its active sonar seeker to remain on course and avoid obstacles. The antenna is not extended in this phase. | # As it approaches a harbor or shallow area, the torpedo switches to terrain-following mode, using its active sonar seeker to remain on course and avoid obstacles. The antenna is not extended in this phase. | ||
# Once its inertial navigation system reports that the torpedo is nearing its attack point, the torpedo | # Once its inertial navigation system reports that the torpedo is nearing its attack point, the torpedo uses its sonar to identify the target closest to its programmed settings and runs underneath it, detonating below the keel. A direct impact is used if attacking port or bridge infrastructure. | ||
==JŎB-53/2== | ==JŎB-53/2== | ||
Latest revision as of 01:15, 17 January 2022
| YŎ-53/19 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Torpedo |
| Place of origin | Menghe |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2020-present |
| Used by | Menghe |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Buksŏng Industries Group |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1750 kg |
| Length | 7.8 m |
| Diameter | 533 mm |
| Warhead | PBX |
| Warhead weight | 350 kg |
Detonation mechanism | contact and under-keel fuses |
| Engine | Electric motor with silver-zinc oxide batteries |
Operational range | over 200 km |
| Maximum depth | 800 m |
| Speed | 50 knots (high speed) 30 knots (low speed) |
Guidance system | Active or passive acoustic homing mid-course interial guidance |
Launch platform | Submarines JŎB-53/2 Ŏbu |
The YŎ-53/19 is a very-long-range heavyweight torpedo introduced into the Menghean Navy in 2019. It uses the electric motor and modular battery system from the YŎ-53/05 torpedo, itself a licensed derivative of the DM2A4. It is designed for standoff attacks against stationary targets in enemy ports, but it can also be used by the shore-launched JŎB-53/2 Ŏbu system.
Development
During the early 2010s, procurement officials in the Menghean Navy expressed interest in a long-range, satellite-guided torpedo which could be used against ships in port in the opening stage of a war. Early proposals used a trailing wire or towed buoy on the surface to maintain contact with navigation satellites, but never reached the prototype stage. The Innominadan Crisis of 2014-2015 confirmed the usefulness of such a weapon: as part of Operation Mist Lake, the Menghean Navy destroyed nearly all of Innominada's remaining naval assets in the opening days of the conflict.
The appearance of Eisenmaat's SeaHake Mod 4 ER appears to have provided inspiration for the final version of the satellite datalink antenna, though the YŎ-53/19 is not a SeaHake clone: development began before the latter system was available for export, and the Menghean torpedo features a very different guidance section.
Firing trials were conducted in 2018, and the weapon was accepted for service in 2019. Menghean state media reported that the submarine Chuŏ carried four YŎ-53/19 torpedoes on board when commissioned into service.
Design
The YŎ-53/19 uses the sonar seeker, electric motor, and battery modules of the YŎ-53/05, but in all other respects it can be considered a different weapon. In place of four battery modules on the YŎ-53/05G and five on the YŎ-53/05N, it has six in total, extending its range by 50%. It also omits the guidance wire system entirely, as satellite course correction fills the same role. Forward of the battery modules is a retractable mast with a CSNS satellite datalink antenna on top. This can extend like a periscope to take radio readings from above the surface while the torpedo is running submerged.
Another change is the modification of the sonar guidance system to add a crude navigation mode. At a preset point on its approach path, the torpedo switches on its active sonar seeker and uses it to map the terrain in the torpedo's path. In addition to avoiding collision with underwater obstacles, anti-torpedo barriers, and elevated terrain, this seeker can be used for a form of terrain contour matching guidance if the crew uploaded detailed surveys of the target area to the torpedo before launch. In the event that the mid-course CSNS signal is jammed, the torpedo can use this active sonar navigation mode to correct deviations of a kilometer or more as it nears the coast. One Menghean Navy brochure suggests that the YŎ-53/19 can use its terrain contour matching mode to autonomously pilot the torpedo into a fixed target in relation to the seabed. In any case, given its intended use against ports and harbors, the YŎ-53/19's active sonar guidance mode is helpful for navigating in shallow and confined underwater areas.
Role
Menghean sources state that the YŎ-53/17 is mainly intended for long-range attacks on stationary targets, such as docked ships and bridge towers. The combat center operator programs a multi-leg trajectory into the torpeodo before launch, including the target's dimensional characteristics if available. For the first leg of its trajectory, the torpedo remains underwater, to avoid giving away the submarine's location. Once it is a safe distance away, it ascends, deploys its mast, and takes a brief CSNS reading to correct its location and bearing information. It continues toward the destination in a similar guidance pattern, running on inertial navigation with periodic satellite updates to correct accumulated error in the inertial navigation unit. As it approaches the target, the torpedo switches to its active sonar seeker, and either makes a direct impact or conducts a below-keel detonation.
The YŎ-53/19 has an alternative running mode which allows it to travel continuously with the satellite antenna above the surface, to receive constant course updates via satellite. This allows it to engage moving targets at long ranges, but only if the launch platform has a surfaced satellite datalink as well. This mode is not typically used by submarines, as it requires keeping the satellite communication antenna above the waterline and broadcasting for an extended period of time, but it is used by the JŎB-53/2 system.
Targeting process
Because its maximum range extends beyond the effective range of any submarine's sonar, the YŎ-53/19 depends on coordination between multiple targeting platforms in order to be used effectively. This approach is typical of the Menghean Navy's top-down decision-making structure, even with regard to submarines.
- A reconnaissance satellite, patrol aircraft, or spy detects the locations of enemy ships in a naval base.
- This information is relayed to a Navy land-based command center.
- The land-based command center transfers the signal to the ELF antenna complex in West Menghe.
- The ELF transmitter antenna orders a submarine near the target port to ascend to periscope depth and extend a receiver mast.
- A satellite or aicraft relays orders and target information to the submarine.
- Aboard the submarine, the weapons operator programs a multi-leg course into each torpedo, and assigns a target to each.
- For the first leg of its trajectory after firing, the torpedo runs underwater, relying on inertial navigation.
- At regular intervals, the torpedo ascends in depth, extends its mast above the surface, and takes a brief Constellation SATNAV reading to correct its location and bearing information. Between SATNAV checks, the torpedo runs underwater with the mast retracted, to avoid revealing its location visually or on radar.
- As it approaches a harbor or shallow area, the torpedo switches to terrain-following mode, using its active sonar seeker to remain on course and avoid obstacles. The antenna is not extended in this phase.
- Once its inertial navigation system reports that the torpedo is nearing its attack point, the torpedo uses its sonar to identify the target closest to its programmed settings and runs underneath it, detonating below the keel. A direct impact is used if attacking port or bridge infrastructure.
JŎB-53/2
The JŎB-53/2 Ŏbu ("Fisherman") is a land-based launch system for the YŎ-53/19 long-range torpedo. It consists of a wheeled Taekchŏn T512 chassis with two torpedoes in a rear-facing carriage. When on combat alert, the vehicle moves to a prepositioned launch position or existing embankment, parks with the rear facing the sea, and lowers the carriage into the water. The torpedo launches under its own power and runs at a shallow depth with the mast extended to receive constant tracking updates, which are relayed via satellite from the launch platform. The launch platform, in turn, receives updates on the target's movement from another datalinked platform such as a patrol aircraft. At a set distance from the target, the torpedo dives to conceal its antenna and runs toward the target's predicted location on inertial guidance until its passive seeker detects it.
Compared with a land-based anti-ship missile launcher, the Ŏbu system is less flexible in the launch positions it can use, has a longer reaction time, and fires a projectile which takes a much longer time to reach the target. Its main advantage is the lack of anti-torpedo hardkill systems on many enemy warships. The Menghean Navy has acquired a small number of launch batteries, and bases them close to Altagracia and Isla Diamante.