The shock complex, which has a VA-111 Shkval high-speed torpedo missile, was developed in the Soviet Union in the 60s of the last century. Its purpose is to defeat targets both above and below the water. The fastest torpedo in the world is placed on different media: stationary systems, surface and underwater sea vessels.
The history of the creation of super-speed torpedoes
The motive for creating an ultra-high-speed torpedo was the fact that the Soviet fleet was not able to compete in quantitative terms with the US Navy. Therefore, it was decided to form an armament system that meets the following requirements:
- compact
- with the ability to install on most surface and submarines;
- capable of guaranteed to hit enemy ships and boats at a great distance;
- inexpensive production.
In the sixties of the 20th century, work began on creating the fastest torpedo in the world so that it could destroy enemy targets at a great distance and was inaccessible to the enemy. G.V. Logvinovich was appointed the chief designer of the project. The difficulty was to create a completely new design, capable of speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour under the water. In 1965, the first sea trial was conducted. When designing, two serious problems arose:
- achieving very high speed due to hypersound;
- universal way of placing on submarines and ships.
The solution to these problems was delayed by more than 10 years, and only in 1977 the missile, which received the VA-111 “Flurry” index, was put into service.
Interesting Facts
At the end of the seventies of the last century, Pentagon scientists proved by calculation that it was impossible to develop significant speeds under water for technical reasons.
Therefore, the military department in the United States was skeptical of information about the ongoing development of the fastest torpedo in the world in the Soviet Union. These messages were considered planned misinformation. And scientists of the USSR calmly finished testing high-speed self-propelled underwater mines. The Flurry torpedo is recognized by all military experts as a weapon that has no analogues in the world. It has been in service with the Navy for many years.
Torpedo tactics
The Flurry complex is equipped with non-standard tactics for torpedoes. The carrier on which it is located, upon detecting an enemy ship, processes all characteristics: direction and speed, distance. All information is entered into the autopilot of a self-propelled mine. After starting, it begins to move strictly along a pre-calculated path. The torpedo lacks a homing system and adjustments to a given course.
On the one hand, this fact is an advantage, and on the other, a disadvantage. No obstacles encountered along the way will prevent the Flurry from deviating from the set course. He is rapidly approaching the target at a tremendous speed, and the enemy does not have the slightest chance of maneuvering. But if suddenly an enemy ship suddenly changes its direction of movement, then the target will not be hit.
Description of device and engine
When creating a high-speed rocket, fundamental research of Russian scientists in the field of cavitation was used. The jet engine of a supersonic torpedo “Flurry” consists of:
- The starting accelerator used to disperse a torpedo. It runs for four seconds using liquid fuel, and then undocked.
- Marching engine delivering a mine to the target. Hydroreacting metals are used as fuel - aluminum, lithium, magnesium, which are oxidized by sea water.
When the torpedo reaches a speed of 80 km / h, an air cavitation bubble is formed to reduce hydrodynamic resistance. This is due to a special cavitator located in the bow and generating water vapor. Behind it is a series of holes through which portions of gas pass from the gas generator, which allows the bubble to completely cover the entire torpedo hull.
Upon detection of an enemy object, the ship’s control and guidance system processes speed, distance, direction of movement, after which the data is sent to an independent surveillance system. There is no automatic aiming at the target of the torpedo, so nothing prevents it from reaching the target. She strictly fulfills the program that the autopilot asked her.
Specifications
Testing and refinement of the already put into service torpedoes were continued even after the Soviet Union collapsed. The speed of the fastest torpedo in the world is about 300 km / h. It is achieved by using a jet engine. According to the developers - this is not the limit. High water resistance, hundreds of times greater than air resistance, was reduced using supercavitation. This is a special mode of movement of the body with a length of 8 m in the water, in which a cavity with water vapor forms around it.
This state is created using a special head cavitator. As a result, the speed increases significantly and the range of motion increases. The fastest torpedo in the world leaves no time to maneuver enemy ships, although the range is only 11 kilometers. The warhead consists of 210 kg of conventional explosives or 150 kilotons of nuclear. The speed of a torpedo weighing 2.7 tons is 200 knots or 360 km / h. The depth of immersion is 6 m, and the start - up to 30 m.
Torpedo Modifications
Improvement work continued after its commissioning, and even in the difficult 90s of the last century. Several versions of the torpedo released:
- Shkval-E is an export version of a self-propelled submarine mine made in 1992. It is intended for sale to other states and affects only surface targets. In this embodiment, a conventional combat charge and a smaller range of destruction are provided. Work is continuing to improve the version for a specific customer.
- Shkval-M - has improved characteristics: the warhead has been increased to 350 kg, range - up to 13 km.
The modification of this torpedo is carried out constantly, especially to increase the damage range.
Foreign analogues of "Flurry"
For a very long time there was no underwater mine, at least close in speed to the fastest torpedo in the world at a speed of 300 km / h. And only in 2005 in Germany was made a similar torpedo called "Barracuda", according to the developers, which has a slightly higher speed than the "Flurry" due to the stronger effect of cavitation. About the remaining characteristics of the invention, all data are missing. In 2014, reports appeared that such a torpedo was designed in Iran, reaching a speed of 320 km / h. Many countries are trying to develop such an analogue of a self-propelled underwater mine, but so far there are no such aerial bombs in service, comparable to the world's fastest torpedo “Flurry”.
Advantages and disadvantages
Flurry-torpedo "Flurry" is a unique technical invention, which was worked on by experts from various fields of knowledge. To do this, it was necessary to create materials of a new quality, to construct a fundamentally new engine, to adapt the phenomenon of cavitation to jet propulsion. But despite this, like any other type of weapon, the Flurry torpedo has advantages and disadvantages. The positive aspects of the fastest torpedo include:
- Colossal speed of movement - does not allow the enemy to defend himself.
- A large warhead charge - has serious devastating consequences for large vessels and is capable of destroying an aircraft carrier group in one gulp.
- Universal platform - allows the installation of an aircraft bomb on submarines and surface ships.
The disadvantages include the following:
- Noise and strong vibration - arise due to the huge speed of the torpedo, which gives the enemy a chance to determine the location of the carrier.
- Short range - the maximum distance of hitting a target is 13 km.
- There is no way to control because of the cavitation bubble.
- The insufficient depth of immersion is not more than 30 m, which is ineffective in the destruction of submarines.
- High price.
Currently, the development of torpedoes with the possibility of remote control and longer firing range.
Conclusion
The charge that the Flurry torpedo is equipped with is enough to destroy any enemy ship. And the speed of the fastest torpedo "Flurry" at 300 km / h does not allow the enemy to counter this type of weapon. After the adoption of missile torpedoes into service, the combat potential of the navy of our country has significantly increased.