Military

Saab's new Lightweight Torpedo designed for deep and shallow waters

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Saab's LWT is tailored to both blue water conditions and the complex environment of the shallow Baltic Sea
Saab
Artist's concept of the Saab SLWT
Saab
Saab's LWT is tailored to both blue water conditions and the complex environment of the shallow Baltic Sea
Saab

At next week's Euronaval exhibition in Paris, Saab will be unveiling the latest version of its Lightweight Torpedo (SLWT). Already ordered by Sweden and Finland, the compact submarine hunter/killer weapon is designed to be launched from a variety of sea and air platforms and is tailored to both blue water conditions and the complex environment of the shallow Baltic Sea.

With increased tensions between Russia and NATO, as well as China's growing regional and global ambitions, anti-submarine systems are gathering interest at a level not seen since the Cold War. This is especially true in dealing with possible Russian incursions in the Baltic, which is notorious for its shallow water, variable salinity, temperature layers, complex seabed topography and the bewildering noise levels caused by heavy sea traffic.

To deal with this ideal submarine hidey hole, Saab has been developing its SLWT system aimed at both the Swedish Royal Navy and global export markets. Though it can operate in the open sea, Saab says the new torpedo works best in dealing with littoral anti-submarine warfare.

At first glance, the SLWT doesn't seem like much when compared with the huge torpedoes like the US Mark 48 and British Spearfish. It's only 2.85 m (9.35 ft) long, 40 cm (15.75 in) wide and weighs in at 340 kg (750 lb) soaking wet, but inside, it has a state-of-the-art, fully digital homing system that gives it a fire-and-forget and wire-guided capability.

Small enough to be launched by submarines, surface ships, helicopters, airplanes, or from improvised launchers, the SLWT's electric pump jet powered by a lithium-based rechargeable battery can propel it at over 40 knots (46 mph, 74 km/h) and at depths of over 300 m (1,000 ft) for more than an hour.

Artist's concept of the Saab SLWT
Saab

Additionally, the SLWT is an intelligent weapon. Operated either autonomously or by wire using a two-way data connection, the torpedo can pilot a preset search pattern or series of waypoints while scanning with its multi-beam active/passive sonar system. As it does so, it can adapt to changes in temperature and salinity, while its onboard computer can distinguish between rock outcroppings, wrecks, and active submarines as well as navigate around obstacles.

Saab says that once engaged with a hostile craft, the SLWT can pursue, attack, and even break off and re-engage multiple times. It can even distinguish between submarines and active decoys and can work with other torpedoes to pen in a target. After pressing in its attack, the torpedo's PBX omnidirectional explosive warhead can deliver the fatal killshot.

Another feature of the SLWT is that it can be ordered to abort an attack at any time or go into training mode. If it does so, the torpedo will not strike the target, but will veer off and activate a flotation mechanism, so it can be recovered and its onboard data studied for mission evaluation.

"The SLWT project is going very well," says Stefan Sjögren, Programme Director, Lightweight Torpedoes at Saab. "We are in the process of finalizing the second demonstration torpedo with all the features as in the final product. We are bringing key advances in torpedo technology to SLWT, which translates into endurance, accuracy, and complete control."

The Euronaval exhibition runs from October 23 to 26.

The video below shows off the capabilities of the SLWT.

Source: Saab

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7 comments
Deres
It is really crazy to have four competing torpedo makers in Europe (Atlas Elektronik, Saab, Naval Group, Leonardo-Finmeccanica) ... And I do not count Bae System ! What a waste of money.
jerryd
Sounds like Russia better be worried and stop being in their waters which they have been doing for decades. It's range and time on station is way more than any I've heard of and they only one that can work around their islands. Nice advance.
YouAre
Excellent video, kudos to the SAAB Marketing Department! But for GRU this won't be enough.
Expanded Viewpoint
And just how long will it take for someone to come up with an anti-torpedo torpedo? Just as the decoy was launched from a rear firing tube, so could a bunch of mini torpedoes be fired from a shotgun type of shell. With the sophistication of modern day electronics, like Arduino, they would be VERY cheap to make, take up little space, and would be deadly accurate running the right software! No expensive Li batteries or motors or pumps to worry about, just a tank of compressed gas and a steerable nozzle.
mhenriday
Can't but wonder if it can distinguish between Russian submarines and, e g, German, Polish, and not least, US craft ? Not a good idea to blow up your liege lord's vessels.... ;-)
Henri
ljaques
That's a very well behaved water missile, indeed, though I wouldn't want to have one take a close pass by my ship on its way elsewhere. The smart nav sure seems to work well, though.
It's too bad our PT boats didn't have these in WWII, eh?
So, what does this thing put out? What does "IM compliant, omnidirectional, PBX" measure out to relative to TNT?
christopher
Where do you work? SAAB.
What do you do? Kill people.
Might be time to reevaluate your lifes' direction...