Following yesterday's article - the Soviets, now Russians have been developing heavyweight torpedos since at least the 1930s.
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Pete
Older Russian Type 53 (530mm) torpedos were limited by their fuel type to a range of less than 20km. The Fizik-1s (aka UGSTs) and Fizik-2s (aka Futlyar) torpedos use Otto Fuel II perhaps giving them a range of up to 60km.
If the Russians have followed the US Mark 48 evolution the Russian Fiziks are likely to be effective at progressively shallower and deeper depths.
The Russian Navy Fizik-2 believed to be capable of a top speed of 60 knots. Compared with the Fizik-1 the Fizik-2 features improved homing systems (perhaps including heat seeking) remote control system and maybe longer range.
Unlike the Fizit-1 the Fizik-2 is probably Russian use only, ie. not available for export. This follows a typical domestic use vs export capabilities demarcation of not selling the latest military secrets. It will be interesting to see if China offers Russia enough money to buy some Fizit-2s - for subsequent Chinese reverse engineering-then production.
Unlike the Fizit-1 the Fizik-2 is probably Russian use only, ie. not available for export. This follows a typical domestic use vs export capabilities demarcation of not selling the latest military secrets. It will be interesting to see if China offers Russia enough money to buy some Fizit-2s - for subsequent Chinese reverse engineering-then production.
The Fizik-2 can be released by both surface fighting ships and submarines engaging both platforms from safe ranges. The Fizik-2 torpedo test program was completed by the Russian Navy by the end of 2017 with the new weapon being deployed from 2018.
A Fizik-2might need an effective depth as deep as 1,000m to hit the US deepest diving Seawolf class SSNs/Special missions.
FIZIK-1 (aka UGST) AND FIZIK-2 (aka FUTLYAR) TABLE
RUSSIAN 530mm TORPEDOS | Fizik-1 UGST (primary source) | Fizik-2 Futlyar (secondary source) |
In Service/Deployed | 2014-2015 last of Type 53s | 2017-2018 |
Designed/developed by | Tactical Missiles Corp & "Morteplotehnika" | |
Deployed in | All Russian & some foreign subs | First on Boreys and Yasens |
Fuel | Otto fuel II and see | Otto fuel II (likely) |
Propulsion | propeller? | |
Diameter | 530mm | 533mm |
Length | 7.2m | |
Weight, max | 2,200kg | ?kg |
Weight of explosive charge, min | 300kg | |
Maximum range, up to | ||
Speed | ||
- I mode | 50 knots | |
- II mode | 40 knots | ? knots |
Running depth | up to 500m | |
Firing depth, up to | 400m | |
Homing system effective operating radius: | eg. wake | eg. wake and heat seeking |
- against submarine, up to | 2.5km | |
- against surface ship, up to | 1.2km | |
Surface ship wake indication time, up to | 350 seconds | ? seconds |
Fuze type | contact/proximity | contact/proximity |
Length of command wire | ||
- torpedo wire dispenser, up to | 25km | ?km |
- towed wire dispenser, up to | 5km | ?km |
What may be Fizit-1/Fizit-2 torpedos. Note the shrouded/pump-jet in the blurry photo below. (Photos courtesy Russian Domestic Weapons and Military Equipment website, April 3, 2019)
Pete