Heavyweight torpedo
Torped 613 (TP613) is a heavyweight torpedo still in use by the Swedish Navy. It is wire-guided and has a passive sonar sensor that sends back information through the wire. The torpedo was developed in the 1970s as a cooperation project between Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Testing was done during the period 1981-1983.
Like the older Swedish Torped 61 introduced in the mid-1960s, it is driven by alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, which gives long range and a minimum exhaust trail.
The torpedo is planned to be replaced by the more modern Torped 62.
Short history of the TP61-series torpedoes:
- TP61, ca 1970 (developed from several previous HTP-propulsioned torpedoes starting in 1955): Straightrunning anti-surface torpedo for use with submarines and surface vessels.
- TP611: Wire-guided version of the TP61.
- TP612: Further development of the TP611 with "swim-out" launch from submarine tubes and improved noise-profile.
- TP618, ca 1980: Export version of the TP612 (increased speed and less noise-reduction).
- TP613, ca 1982: Development of the TP612 with passive-hydrophone target-seeker and pistol. Two-way data communications, and engine with two speeds which could be changed during the run.
- TP617, ca 1982: Export version of the TP613, identical, with some degraded parameters in software for hydrophone-control and pistol giving it a slightly reduced performance.
References
- Klintebo, Roderick (2004). Det svenska ubåtsvapnet, 1904-2004. Forum navales skriftserie, 9 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Literatim. ISBN 978-91-973075-3-6. OCLC 71502578.
