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9 December, 2024 German DM2A4 533mm torpedo. Photo: Atlas Elektronik |
Germany and Norway Partner on Next-Generation Submarine Torpedo Development
In a significant naval defense development, Germany and Norway have announced a joint project to create an advanced heavyweight torpedo, designated as the Common Heavy Weight Torpedo (CHWT), for their Type 212CD submarines. The new weapon system will build upon the capabilities of the current DM2A4 Seehecht torpedo, manufactured by Atlas Elektronik.The CHWT initiative comes as both nations prepare to expand their submarine fleets, with Norway expecting delivery of its first Type 212CD submarine in 2029. While specific performance details remain classified, defense officials indicate the new torpedo will offer enhanced capabilities compared to its predecessor, which already boasts a range of 50 kilometers and speeds exceeding 50 knots.
The German Ministry of Defense spokesperson confirmed the development program but declined to provide specific timeline or cost details. Industry observers expect Kongsberg Group, a Norwegian defense contractor with extensive underwater warfare expertise, to participate in the project alongside Atlas Elektronik.
This collaboration aligns with both nations' broader naval modernization efforts, as Germany and Norway plan to acquire up to six and nine Type 212CD submarines respectively, marking a significant expansion from their initial orders of two and four vessels.
The current DM2A4 torpedo, which the CHWT will replace, is notable for being the first torpedo to utilize fiber-optic guidance wire technology and features advanced countermeasure resistance capabilities. The new torpedo is expected to enter service around 2030, coinciding with the delivery schedule of the new submarines.
This development represents a strategic move to enhance North Atlantic naval capabilities amid evolving maritime security challenges in the region.
Norway and Germany to develop new torpedo for submarines - Militarnyi
Norway and Germany are developing a new 533mm torpedo for Type 212CD submarines. The torpedo development is called the Common Heavy Weight Torpedo (CHWT). It is expected that this torpedo will become the main anti-submarine and anti-ship weapon for the advanced Type 212CD submarines.
This was reported by Hartpunkt.
As part of a joint project, both countries plan to create an improved
version of a 533 mm heavy torpedo that will be more powerful than the
modern DM2A4 torpedoes currently in service with their navies. Although little in the way of performance is revealed publicly, these torpedos are generally similar to the American Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo.
DM2A4 Seehecht specifications (As reported by H I Sutton)
Mode: Dual-purpose Surface, Subsurface
Length: 6.6 m
Diameter: 533mm (21")
Type: submarine launched heavy-weight torpedo
Manufacturer: Atlas Elektronik, Bremen, Germany
Weight: 1530 kg (3373 lbs)
Range: 27 NMI / 50 km, max.
Speed: 50 kt
Max Depth: 300 m
Warhead: 260 kg of plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) warhead with proximity and contact fuses
Propulsion: Electic (silver-zinc oxide battery) driving a pumpjet
Guidance System: wire-guided; from full autonomous
to full manual
Homing: active, passive + combined acoustic homing.
intercept homing and wake homing
Warhead: 260 kg (573 lb) Polymer-bonded explosive
(PBX)
Detonation mechanism: proximity or contact
detonation
Fuse: Impact and inductive proximity fuse,
independent from sea state
In service: 2004 - present
DM2A4 Seehecht (export designation "SeaHake mod 4") is the latest
heavyweight torpedo developed by Atlas Elektronik for the German
Navy, as a further update of DM2 (Deutsches Modell 2) torpedo which
was released in 1976.
Being the successor of the DM2A3, it features an advanced electrical
propulsion system and a fiber-optic cable for torpedo guidance and
communication, which, in conjunction with advanced signals
processing and mission logic, makes the torpedo largely
countermeasure resistant. The DM2A4/SeaHake mod 4 is the first
torpedo ever to be guided by a fiber optic wire. With a fully
digital system architecture, increased range and speed and its new
conformal array sonar with a very wide panoramic sensor angle as
well as the additional wake homing sensor, the DM2A4/SeaHake mod 4
provides greatly advanced performance over its predecessor. The
homing head shell is a hydrodynamic optimised parabolic shape which
aims to reduce torpedo self-noise and cavitation to an absolute
minimum. The homing head's conformal transducer array permits
detection angles of +/-100° in the horizontal and +/-24° in the
vertical, therefore supporting larger acquisition angles in
comparison to traditional flat arrays. The wide angle array is
designed to reduce maneuvering when in search and reconnaissance
stages, therefore also reducing self-noise and preserving battery
power.
The weapon has a modular design that includes 2-4 silver-zinc oxide
battery modules and is able to achieve a range of more than 50 km
(27 nmi) and a speed exceeding 92.6 km/h (50 kn) powered by a high
frequency permanent magnet motor, with a closed-loop cooling system
independent from the environment. Exact performance data are
classified. The torpedo design template may also be used as the
basis for Remote Operated Underwater Vehicles. The weapon is armed
with a 260 kg PBX (RDX-aluminium) warhead (equivalent to 460 kg of
TNT) with magnetic influence and contact fuzes. The charge and fuse
are insensitive and electromagnetic pulse safe.
The weapon has a length of 6.6 m when configured with 4 battery
modules, and is respectively shorter when configured with either 3
or 2 battery modules depending upon the requirement of the operating
unit. Diameter of the unit is 533 mm.
“Further development is taking place within the framework of German-Norwegian cooperation to arm future Type 212CD submarines,” the German Ministry of Defense spokesperson said.
The exact cost, specifications, and year of adoption of the new torpedoes have not yet been disclosed. However, given the plans to accept the first Type 212CD submarines into the Royal Norwegian Navy in 2029, the likely date of commissioning of the new torpedoes may be 2030.
It should be noted that the CHWT torpedoes will replace the DM2A4 533 mm torpedoes developed by the German company Atlas Elektronik in the fleets of Germany and Norway.
Although it has not been officially announced which company would participate in the development of the torpedo from Norway. It is likely to be the Kongsberg Group, which already has considerable experience in the development and production of torpedoes.
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| A HNoMS Utvær Ula-type submarine of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Photo: Norwegian Ministry of Defense |
It should be noted that Germany is currently building two submarines of the new Type 212CD project, and the total order book is four for Norway and two for Germany.
In addition, due to the deteriorating geopolitical situation, countries are likely to place additional orders. Currently, the parties are discussing the possibility of increasing the total order to six boats for Norway and six to nine boats for Germany.
It will be recalled that the construction of the Type 212CD submarine project began on September 12, 2024 for the Royal Norwegian Navy, and the construction of the boat for the German Navy is scheduled to begin in the near future.
Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the Chief of the General Staff of Norway recommended a large-scale upgrade of the Navy and Coast Guard, which also involved an increase in the number of ships.
Common Heavy Weight Torpedo: U-Boote der Klasse 212 CD erhalten einen neuen Schwergewichtstorpedo
The Norwegian-German submarines of class 212 CD are to reach a significantly higher level of performance than their predecessors of class U212A. However, in order to adapt the effect of the boats in the goal to the technological progress and the changed threat situation, they must be equipped with an improved main weapon. According to the current plans, a new German-Norwegian heavyweight torpedo with the name "Common Heavy Weight Torpedo" (CHWT) is to be integrated into the new submarine class.
According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence on request, the CHWT is the further development of the current heavyweight torpedo DM2A4. “The further development takes place as part of the German-Norwegian cooperation to equip the future submarines of class 212 CD,” says the spokesperson. He did not provide any information about timelines and costs. The exact designation for the future version of the CHWT, which will be introduced into the Bundeswehr in the future, was not yet determined, said the spokesperson.
According to the plans, the first boat of the new class U212 CD is to be handed over to the Norwegian Navy in 2029. This date could possibly also be an important milestone for the new torpedo.
The heavyweight torpedo DM2A4, which was previously used by the German Navy, is being built by Atlas Elektronik, a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS). Since the CHWT is a joint project with Norway, it is also likely to involve Norwegian partners in the opinion of observers. The Kongsberg Group, which has extensive underwater expertise, is traded as a hot candidate.
According to this, the navy will be working more closely with Kongsberg as early as next year. Then tests of unmanned overwater vehicles are to be started as a supplement to the manned fleet. As it is said, such an unmanned boat is to be tested in use. As part of its goal picture called “Course 2035+”, the navy wants to use both overwater and underwater drones in the future.
Blue Whale already tested
The German naval forces have already started this year with tests for the use of unmanned underwater vehicles – with success, how to hear from naval circles.
This year's tests were implemented in the context of Operational Experimentation (OPEX), as the Bundeswehr writes in a statement. At OPEX, it is a “toolbox” to promote innovation. The central idea here is to test new approaches and technologies quickly and comprehensively under the most realistic conditions possible, and this together with the areas of the Bundeswehr involved in innovation.
The Naval Command, the Operational Testing Centre for the Marine, the Planning Office (PlgABw), the Federal Office of Equipment, Information Technology and Use (BAAINBw) and its Military Office for Ships and Marine Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research (WTD 71) and other positions are involved in OPEX. The chosen practical approach is intended to enable the navy to make informed decisions about the implementation of new systems.
Testing in the Baltic Sea in November
As part of the OPEX Blue Whale, an underwater drone of the same name was tested, which is manufactured by the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and is equipped for submarine hunt (ASW), among other things. The tests were held in the Baltic Sea.
With a length of 10.9 metres, a diameter of 1.12 metres and a weight of 5.5 metres, the Blue Whale ASW platform is a so-called Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (Large UUV). According to the German Armed Forces, modern sensor systems are integrated to clarify and overwater.
This includes in particular an optronic mast with various camera systems and passive sonar technology. The passive “towed array sonar” is designed for the detection and classification of underwater objects above and among acoustic layers and offers decisive operational advantages thanks to the triplex technology, according to the Bundeswehr. Essential parts of the sensor equipment of the Blue Whale are supplied by Atlas Elektronik, such as the tow sonar. Partners for the testing were therefore tkMS and IAI. The two partners presented the Blue Whale ASW for the first time at a trade fair as a joint development in October last year.
The capabilities of the Blue Whale are not limited to submarine defense, the Bundeswehr can be configured for a large number of missions, including covert reconnaissance, sea defence and the protection of maritime critical infrastructure. According to IAI, the battery-powered Blue Whale can operate continuously for two to four weeks, depending on the mission profile.
The OPEX campaign reached its peak during a two-week testing at sea, where the system was suspended in November, the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea. In combination with a transmitter, the system can detect and track submarines and other unmanned underwater vessels bi-statically. In addition, the ability to obscure overwater education has been thoroughly examined. According to the Bundeswehr, this is an ability that otherwise only manned submarines have.
Lars Hoffmann
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