Type: Lightweight Torpedo
Launch platform : Aircraft (high and low altitude) , Ship(tube or VLS)
Diameter: 324mm
Length: 2.95m
Weight: 320kg
Propulsion: Pump-jet
Energy: Lithium-ion battery (rechargeable)
Range: 25km @ 30kn / 1hr loiter
Speed: 10-50kn
Operational depth: 10m-1000m
Warhead: 32kg PBX shaped charge warhead
Guidance: Optical fiber command and passive/active sonar.
Cost:
Torpedo: 2,000,000NSD
Torpedo w/VTDR-20: 2,550,000NSD (VLS variant see text for more)
Torpedo w/VTDG-20: 2,250,000NSD (High altitude release variant see text for more)
DPR: 900,000,0000NSD all variants
The MPLT-20 “Asfirana” (Barracuda) is a lightweight anti-submarine torpedo designed by Schwerpunkt to meet Royal Navy requirements. Highly capable, flexible and affordable, the MPLT-20 can be launched from submarines, surface ships, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The Asfirana excels at engaging hostile submarines in littoral waters, and is quite capable in open seas.
Design
MTLP-20 is a conventionally shaped 324mm diameter torpedo powered by lithium-ion batteries and propelled by a pump-jet. Battery power was selected for a combination of long range and operation time with very low sound signature to reduce chance of detection. The use of a pump-jet further reduces noise while providing a 50 knot top speed.
The MPLT-20 was designed to utilize both acoustic homing and wire command. The torpedo can be launched either in fire and forget mode or in command mode. In command mode the torpedo is controlled to a range of 15km by a spooling fiber-optic wire. The command mode allows for great flexibility in engagement. The operator can direct the torpedo around obstacles, slow down to extend the loiter time and range or speed up to press an attack. It also allows using the launch platform's own sonar or utilizing the data from the torpedo to enhance the launch platform's situational awareness. At any moment the operator can choose to switch to the autonomous homing mode. Using advanced target identification it can detect not only the heading of a target but also its general size and shape to ignore seduction by luring countermeasures and engage only true targets. In fire and forget mode the torpedo is launched to a “kill zone” (with the option to set way points). Upon reaching the kill zone the torpedo will switch to the autonomous homing mode.
In the homing mode the MPLT-20 will begin searching for a target in a downward spiraling search pattern utilizing a fully digital, and operates both in active and passive seeker. Being a wide-band, multi-beam forming sonar, the active seeker has a wide off boresight detection field and high resistance to countermeasures. Thanks to a 1000m operational depth and relatively high speed the Asfirana can run down and destroy deep diving submarines. The actual engagement is done by a contact fused shaped PBX charge capable of penetrating even the thickest double hulled submarines. The warhead can be replaced with an inert training round, and coupled with the rechargeable batteries and the torpedo’s wire communication system allows for on board highly realistic and fully debrief-able affordable training.
Launch and deployment options
As mentioned the MPLT-20 is meant to be launched from a variety of platforms. It can be launched from submarines, packed in proprietary canisters to fit in 533mm torpedo tubes. Helicopters can launch the torpedo by gravity (and must hover if they intend to wire guide the torpedo). Surface ships can launch the Asfirana from standard 324mm torpedo launchers or from vertical launch systems.
To be vertically launched the torpedo is carried by the VTDR-20 missile. This missile is launched from Mk.41 or similar VLS and uses a GPS and inertial guidance system and thrust vectoring to deploy the torpedo by parachute into the kill zone at ranges of up to 30km. The missile outer shell opens,releasing the torpedo that is parachuted into the water where the protective nose cap detaches and the torpedo starts its search/attack pattern.
VTDR-20 specifications:
Type: Rocket Torpedo Delivery System
Launch platform : Ship (tube or VLS)
Diameter: 450mm
Length: 6.25m
Weight: 1300kg (including torpedo)
Propulsion: Two-stage solid-fuel rocket
Range: 30km
Speed: Near supersonic
Guidance: GPS+Inertial
Fixed wing aircraft can not utilize the wire guidance option, but can deploy the Asfirana using the VTDG-20 attachment. This is essentially a guided gliding kit for the torpedo, allowing the aircraft to deliver the torpedo from high altitude and a range of up to 20km. The VTDG-20 is released from the aircraft, depolys winglets and uses GPS and inertial navigation data to reach the target. Upon reaching the targeted area the torpedo is released from the glide kit and parachuted into the water to start its search/attack pattern.
VTDG-20 specifications:
Type: Gliding Torpedo Delivery System
Launch platform : Aircraft
Width: 450mm
Length: 3.35m
Winglet span: 2.5m
Weight: 450kg (including torpedo)
Range: 20km (high release)
Guidance: GPS+Inertial
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