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A244 torpedo

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A244/S Torpedo
Indonesian Navy frigate KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata during torpedo firing exercise with WASS A244/S Mod 3 lightweight torpedo (training head).
TypeLightweight ASW torpedo
Place of originItaly
Service history
In service1982
Production history
ManufacturerLeonardo
Specifications
Mass254 kg (560 lb)
Length2.75 m (9.0 ft)
Diameter324 mm (12.8 in)
Effective firing range13.5 km (7.3 nmi)
Maximum firing range6 to 6.5 km for Mod 0 through Mod 2, 13.5 km for Mod 3
WarheadHigh explosive STANAG 4439 and MURAT-2 compliant
Warhead weight45.4 kg (100 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
Various
EngineContra-rotating direct-drive brushless electric motor
PropellantAgCl-Mg battery
Maximum depth10 m to >600 m
Maximum speed 30–39 kn (56–72 km/h)
Guidance
system
Active/passive acoustic homing
Steering
system
CIACIO-S seeker
Launch
platform
Surface ships and aircraft

The A244/S is an Italian lightweight, fire-and-forget torpedo employed for anti-submarine warfare. It can be launched from surface vessels or aircraft and locates the target using an acoustic seeker. The torpedo body conforms to the NATO 12.75-inch (323.8 mm) standard and is compatible with USN Mark 32 torpedo tubes.

Description

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The A244 was initially conceived in 1968 as a replacement for the USN Mark 44 Mod 2 and shares many design similarities with the older weapon. A244 entered service in 1971 although development continued through 1973, and mass production began in 1975. The weapon was superseded by A244/S which entered service in 1984. Whereas the A244 used a monotone (single frequency) seeker, the A244/S uses triple frequency pulses and a programmable seeker which can follow search patterns and perform standard maneuvers. Originally equipped with a Selenia Elsag AG70 seeker, work on CIACIO began in 1964, resulting in a 60 kHz CIACIO 60 seeker in 1966 and a 30 kHz CIACIO 30 seeker in 1968. The final version, CIACIO-S, originally appeared in 1972 with laboratory trials in 1973 and static sea trials in 1974, followed by live trials using Mark 44 torpedoes equipped with the new seeker in 1975. Shallow water trials were carried out in 1977-1978. A244/S Mod 1 was ready for delivery in 1987.[1] Mod 0 (intended for torpedo tube launch) and Mod 1 (intended for helicopter launch) had an endurance of 6,500 m (3.5 nmi) at 37 kn (69 km/h), a length of 2.70 m (8.9 ft), and a unit mass of 221 kg (487 lb). Mod 2 (intended for fixed-wing aircraft launch) had a length of 2.75 m (9.0 ft) and an endurance of 6,000 m (3.2 nmi). All of the older versions used a lead-acid battery power source and carried a 45.4 kg (100 lb) warhead.[2]

The present-day version is the A244/S Mod 3, manufactured by Leonardo.[3] The A244/S Mod 3 was announced in October 1998.[4] The Mod 3 was engineered by retrofitting the MU90 torpedo, particularly its guidance system. The power source was re-engineered to use a silver oxide battery. The Mod 3 torpedo uses a CIACIO-S seeker, consisting of an acoustic homing head containing the transducer assembly, transmitter, and related beamforming circuits, and a frame housing all the remaining electronic components. The seeker head contains 36 transducers in an 6x6 array, capable of generating eight acoustic beams. The homing head is capable of active, passive, and mixed modes for closing onto its target. It can also discriminate between decoys and real targets in the presence of heavy reverberations especially emitted pulses and signal processing. Signal processing is digital, utilizing FFT.[5]

Operators

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Map with A244-S operators in blue

Current operators

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Future operators

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 Bulgaria
  • Bulgarian Navy: In October 2022 Bulgarian government decided the purchase A244-S for the two future patrol ships of Bulgarian navy. Bulgarian Navy will receive 24 A244-S mod.3 torpedoes and supporting equipment for the price of 39.3 mln euros. The torpedoes also will be used from Bulgarian navy Eurocopter AS565 Panther helicopters. The first ship is under construction and will be commissioned in 2025.

See also

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Bibliography

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  • Funnell, Clifford, ed. (February 2007). Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 2007-2008 (19th ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2815-2.
  • Friedman, Norman (February 2006). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems (5th ed.). Naval Institute Press. ISBN 9781557502629.

References

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  1. ^ Friedman, Norman (1991). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems, 1991/92. United States Naval Institute. p. 698. ISBN 0-87021-288-5.
  2. ^ Bishop, Chris, ed. (1988). The Encyclopedia of World Sea Power. Temple Press. pp. 288–289. ISBN 0-600-332748.
  3. ^ "A244/S mod.3". electronics.leonardo.com. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  4. ^ EuroTorp. "The A244/s mod.3 LWT system" (PDF). Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Elbit, Leonardo join forces to equip Seagull USV with mini torpedoes". Naval Today. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  6. ^ The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems, pag.728
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