Design began in the 1960s when the NII-24 research institute was ordered to produce a new weapon capable of engaging nuclear submarines. The merger of the institute and GSKB-47 created the Research Institute of Applied Hydromechanics, who continued with the design and production of the Shkval.[2]
Previously operational as early as 1977, the torpedo was announced as being deployed in the 1990s.[2] The Shkval is intended as a countermeasure against torpedoes launched by undetected enemy submarines.[2]
Shkval nose cone
Shkval rear, showing the guidance fins and the electronics connector
The VA-111 is launched from 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes at 50 kn (93 km/h; 58 mph).[3] A solid-fuel rocket accelerates it to cavitation speed, with a combined-cycle gas turbine in the nose creating the required gas bubble. Once accelerated, speed is maintained by an underwater ramjet fueled by hydroreactive metals using seawater as both reactant and the source of oxidizer; the torpedo travels at around 200 kn (370 km/h; 230 mph).[4][5] Published information about this type of hydro-ramjet shows a dedicated steam circuit for the supercavitation generating head.[6]
Some reports indicate that the VA-111 possibly exceeds speeds of 250 kn (460 km/h; 290 mph), and that work on a 300 kn (560 km/h; 350 mph) version was underway.[7][8]
The high speed is made possible by supercavitation, whereby a gas bubble surrounding the torpedo is created by outward deflection of water by its specially-shaped nose cone and the expansion of gases from its engine and the gas generator in the nose. This minimizes water contact with the torpedo, significantly reducing drag.[2]
The torpedo steers using four fins that skim the inner surface of the supercavitation gas bubble. To change direction, the fin(s) on the inside of the desired turn are extended, and the opposing fins are retracted.[2]
The torpedo is manufactured in Kyrgyzstan by a state-owned factory. In 2012 the Russian government asked for a 75% ownership of the factory in exchange for writing off massive Kyrgyz debt to Russia.[12]
Espionage
In 2000, former U.S. Naval intelligence officer and an alleged Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) spy Edmond Pope (Captain, USN, retired) was held, tried, and convicted in Russia of espionage related to information he obtained about the Shkval weapon system. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Pope in December 2000 on humanitarian grounds because he had bone cancer.[13][14]
Vietnam People's Navy (possibly equipped with Kilo-class submarines, it is suspected that Vietnam owns this type of torpedo in its inventory due to a picture showing a part of VA-111 and Vietnamese labels)[15][16]
Variants
There are at least three variants:
VA-111 Shkval – Original variant; GOLIS autonomous inertial guidance.
"Shkval 2" – Current variant; believed to have additional guidance systems, possibly via the use of vectored thrust, and with a much longer range.
A less capable version currently being exported to foreign naval forces. The export version is referred to as "Shkval-E".
All current versions are believed to be fitted only with conventional explosive warheads, although the original design used a nuclear warhead.
Specifications
Length: 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)
Diameter: 532 mm (21 in)
Weight: 2,700 kg (6,000 lb)
Warhead weight: 210 kg (460 lb)
Speed
Launch speed: 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph)
Maximum speed: 200 knots (370 km/h; 230 mph) or greater
Range: Around 11–15 km (6.8–9.3 mi) (new version). Older versions only 7 km (4.3 mi)[17]
References
^. Military Periscope. Archived from the original on 2012-01-18.
^ abcde"Iranian Navy Test-Fires New Home-Made Torpedo". Fars News Agency. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
^"Designed to knock down US super carriers watch the Russian sea monster that remains the biggest threat to US Navy". Eurasian Times. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
^"The allure of supercavitating torpedoes". Naval Technology. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^"Russia developing Khishchnik high-speed torpedo to replace VA-111 Shkval supercavitating torpedo". Navy Recognition. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^"КТРВ на МАКСе-2009 представит новую продукцию". AviaPort.Ru (in Russian). 27 July 2009. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^Shakhidzhanov, Ye. S. "Подводные ракеты". Flot.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^"Russia's Tactical Missiles Corporation Upgrading VA-111 Shkval Supercavitating Torpedo". Navy Recognition. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^"Russia, Kyrgyzstan Clash Over Torpedo Plant". RIA Novosti. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^Tavernise, Sabrina (15 December 2000). "American Jailed as Spy in Moscow Is Freed on Putin's Orders; U.S. Welcomes Gesture". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^Murphy, Dean E. (15 January 2001). "Moscow 'Spy' Case Is Still a Mystery". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^VnExpress. "Sức mạnh 6 tàu ngầm Kilo của Việt Nam - VnExpress". Tin nhanh VnExpress (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2021-11-05.
^Acomm(http://www.acomm.com.vn), Copyright(c) 2019. "Khai mạc Triển lãm quốc tế và Hội nghị khoa học lần thứ 5 về điều kiển và tự động hóa | Tạp chí Tuyên giáo". tuyengiao.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2021-11-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^"Post-World War II Torpedoes of Russia/USSR". NavWeaps. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
Sources
Polmar, Norman (2004). Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines. Dulles: Potomac Books. ISBN978-1-57488-594-1.
Garanin, I. V. (2009). "The Hydro-Reacting Marine Solid Fuel Rocket Engines". In Favorsky, Oleg N. (ed.). Thermal to Mechanical Energy Conversion :Engines and Requirements. Vol. II. Oxford, United Kingdom: EOLSS Publications. pp. 201–238. ISBN978-1-84826-022-1.
Baker, A. D., III, ed. (2000). Combat Fleets of the World 2000–2001: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to VA-111 Shkval.
FAS page on the VA-111 Shkval underwater rocket 2016-08-28 at the Wayback Machine
Tyler, Patrick E. (1 December 2000). "Behind Spy Trial in Moscow: A Superfast Torpedo". The New York Times.
January 07, 2023
shkval, shkval, redirects, here, interceptor, airplane, project, sukhoi, shkval, from, russian, шквал, squall, torpedo, descendants, supercavitating, torpedoes, originally, developed, soviet, union, they, capable, speeds, excess, knots, miles, typesupercavitat. Shkval redirects here For the interceptor airplane project see Sukhoi Shkval The VA 111 Shkval from Russian shkval squall torpedo and its descendants are supercavitating torpedoes originally developed by the Soviet Union They are capable of speeds in excess of 200 knots 370 km h or 230 miles h 1 VA 111 ShkvalVA 111 ShkvalTypeSupercavitating torpedoPlace of originSoviet UnionService historyIn service1977 presentUsed byRussian Navy and Iranian NavyProduction historyDesignerNII 24 research instituteDesigned1960s 70sManufacturerTactical Missiles CorporationProduced1977 presentVariantsShkval 2 Shkval ESpecificationsMass2 700 kg 6 000 lb Length8 200 mm 26 ft 11 in Diameter533 mm 21 in Effective firing rangeShkval 7 km 4 3 mi Shkval 2 From 11 15 km 6 8 9 3 mi WarheadConventional explosive or nuclearWarhead weight210 kg 460 lb EngineSolid fuel rocketPropellantSolid fuelMaximum speedLaunch speed 50 knots 93 km h 58 mph Maximum speed in excess of 200 knots 370 km h 230 mph GuidancesystemGOLIS autonomous inertial guidanceLaunchplatform533 mm 21 in torpedo tubes Contents 1 Design and capabilities 2 Manufacture 3 Espionage 4 Operators 5 Variants 6 Specifications 7 References 8 Sources 9 External linksDesign and capabilities EditDesign began in the 1960s when the NII 24 research institute was ordered to produce a new weapon capable of engaging nuclear submarines The merger of the institute and GSKB 47 created the Research Institute of Applied Hydromechanics who continued with the design and production of the Shkval 2 Previously operational as early as 1977 the torpedo was announced as being deployed in the 1990s 2 The Shkval is intended as a countermeasure against torpedoes launched by undetected enemy submarines 2 Shkval nose cone Shkval rear showing the guidance fins and the electronics connector The VA 111 is launched from 533 mm 21 in torpedo tubes at 50 kn 93 km h 58 mph 3 A solid fuel rocket accelerates it to cavitation speed with a combined cycle gas turbine in the nose creating the required gas bubble Once accelerated speed is maintained by an underwater ramjet fueled by hydroreactive metals using seawater as both reactant and the source of oxidizer the torpedo travels at around 200 kn 370 km h 230 mph 4 5 Published information about this type of hydro ramjet shows a dedicated steam circuit for the supercavitation generating head 6 Some reports indicate that the VA 111 possibly exceeds speeds of 250 kn 460 km h 290 mph and that work on a 300 kn 560 km h 350 mph version was underway 7 8 The high speed is made possible by supercavitation whereby a gas bubble surrounding the torpedo is created by outward deflection of water by its specially shaped nose cone and the expansion of gases from its engine and the gas generator in the nose This minimizes water contact with the torpedo significantly reducing drag 2 Early designs may have relied solely on an inertial guidance system 9 10 The initial design was intended for nuclear warhead delivery Later designs reportedly include terminal guidance and conventional warheads 7 The torpedo steers using four fins that skim the inner surface of the supercavitation gas bubble To change direction the fin s on the inside of the desired turn are extended and the opposing fins are retracted 2 In 2016 KTRV was upgrading Shkval 11 Manufacture EditThe torpedo is manufactured in Kyrgyzstan by a state owned factory In 2012 the Russian government asked for a 75 ownership of the factory in exchange for writing off massive Kyrgyz debt to Russia 12 Espionage EditIn 2000 former U S Naval intelligence officer and an alleged Defense Intelligence Agency DIA spy Edmond Pope Captain USN retired was held tried and convicted in Russia of espionage related to information he obtained about the Shkval weapon system Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Pope in December 2000 on humanitarian grounds because he had bone cancer 13 14 Operators Edit Russia Russian Navy Iran possibly Islamic Republic of Iran Navy possibly Vietnam possibly Vietnam People s Navy possibly equipped with Kilo class submarines it is suspected that Vietnam owns this type of torpedo in its inventory due to a picture showing a part of VA 111 and Vietnamese labels 15 16 Variants EditThere are at least three variants VA 111 Shkval Original variant GOLIS autonomous inertial guidance Shkval 2 Current variant believed to have additional guidance systems possibly via the use of vectored thrust and with a much longer range A less capable version currently being exported to foreign naval forces The export version is referred to as Shkval E Iran claimed it has created a version named Hoot All current versions are believed to be fitted only with conventional explosive warheads although the original design used a nuclear warhead Specifications EditLength 8 2 m 26 ft 11 in Diameter 532 mm 21 in Weight 2 700 kg 6 000 lb Warhead weight 210 kg 460 lb Speed Launch speed 50 knots 93 km h 58 mph Maximum speed 200 knots 370 km h 230 mph or greater Range Around 11 15 km 6 8 9 3 mi new version Older versions only 7 km 4 3 mi 17 References Edit VA 111 Shkval Torpedo Military Periscope Archived from the original on 2012 01 18 a b c d e Iranian Navy Test Fires New Home Made Torpedo Fars News Agency 22 November 2014 Retrieved 18 May 2015 Designed to knock down US super carriers watch the Russian sea monster that remains the biggest threat to US Navy Eurasian Times Retrieved 30 May 2021 The allure of supercavitating torpedoes Naval Technology 19 June 2017 Retrieved 2019 12 31 Russia developing Khishchnik high speed torpedo to replace VA 111 Shkval supercavitating torpedo Navy Recognition 16 January 2017 Retrieved 2019 12 31 Garanin 2009 p 216 a b Polmar 2004 p 304 Baker 2000 p 581 KTRV na MAKSe 2009 predstavit novuyu produkciyu AviaPort Ru in Russian 27 July 2009 Retrieved 2019 12 31 Shakhidzhanov Ye S Podvodnye rakety Flot com in Russian Retrieved 2019 12 31 Russia s Tactical Missiles Corporation Upgrading VA 111 Shkval Supercavitating Torpedo Navy Recognition 22 August 2016 Retrieved 2019 12 31 Russia Kyrgyzstan Clash Over Torpedo Plant RIA Novosti 22 March 2012 Retrieved 2019 12 31 Tavernise Sabrina 15 December 2000 American Jailed as Spy in Moscow Is Freed on Putin s Orders U S Welcomes Gesture The New York Times Retrieved 2019 12 31 Murphy Dean E 15 January 2001 Moscow Spy Case Is Still a Mystery The New York Times Retrieved 2019 12 31 VnExpress Sức mạnh 6 tau ngầm Kilo của Việt Nam VnExpress Tin nhanh VnExpress in Vietnamese Retrieved 2021 11 05 Acomm http www acomm com vn Copyright c 2019 Khai mạc Triển lam quốc tế va Hội nghị khoa học lần thứ 5 về điều kiển va tự động hoa Tạp chi Tuyen giao tuyengiao vn in Vietnamese Retrieved 2021 11 05 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Post World War II Torpedoes of Russia USSR NavWeaps Retrieved 2019 12 31 Sources EditPolmar Norman 2004 Cold War Submarines The Design and Construction of U S and Soviet Submarines Dulles Potomac Books ISBN 978 1 57488 594 1 Garanin I V 2009 The Hydro Reacting Marine Solid Fuel Rocket Engines In Favorsky Oleg N ed Thermal to Mechanical Energy Conversion Engines and Requirements Vol II Oxford United Kingdom EOLSS Publications pp 201 238 ISBN 978 1 84826 022 1 Baker A D III ed 2000 Combat Fleets of the World 2000 2001 Their Ships Aircraft and Systems Annapolis Maryland Naval Institute Press External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to VA 111 Shkval FAS page on the VA 111 Shkval underwater rocket Archived 2016 08 28 at the Wayback Machine Ashley Steven May 2001 Warp Drive Underwater Scientific American 284 5 70 79 Bibcode 2001SciAm 284e 70A doi 10 1038 scientificamerican0501 70 Tyler Patrick E 1 December 2000 Behind Spy Trial in Moscow A Superfast Torpedo The New York Times Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title VA 111 Shkval amp oldid 1115353977, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
