Black Shark torpedo

Black Shark
Indonesian navy submarine KRI Alugoro during a torpedo loading-unloading training exercise, handling a Black Shark heavyweight torpedo.
TypeHeavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo
Place of originItaly
Service history
In serviceBlackShark: 2004–present
BlackShark Advanced: 2018-present
Used bySee operators
Production history
DesignedBlackShark Advanced: 2010-18
ManufacturerWASS Submarine Systems, a subsidiary of Leonardo
Specifications
Length6.3 m (21 ft)
Diameter533 mm (21.0 in)
Effective firing range50 km (27 nmi)
WarheadHigh explosive STANAG 4439 and MURAT-2 compliant
Warhead weight350 kg (770 lb)
Detonation
mechanism
Various
EngineContra-rotating direct-drive brushless motor
PropellantBlackShark: Al-AgO battery
BlackShark Advanced: lithium-polymer rechargeable battery
Maximum speed50 knots (93 km/h) (unclassified)
Launch
platform
Submarine

The Black Shark is a heavyweight torpedo developed by WASS Submarine Systems of Italy.

Development

WASS (previously Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei) developed the Black Shark torpedo as an evolution of the A184, with more advanced electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) abilities and sonar. The advancements in electric motor design and battery allowed an increase in both range and speed.[1]

Features

The Black Shark torpedo offers fiberoptic wire for increased bandwidth and signal processing ability compared to copper wire-guided torpedo types. The sonar capability include non-doppler shifted target discrimination and multi-frequency capability that features advanced spatial and angular analysis abilities.[2] The design goal for the torpedo was 300% improvement of passive acquisition and 200% active acquisition with its sonar system.[3] The brushless motor design coupled with the aluminum-silver oxide (Al-AgO) battery gives the system a top speed 50+ knots (93+ km/h; 58+ mph), and a range of 50 km (27 nmi; 31 mi), performance envelope.[1] Like all other battery powered HWTs, the battery power system does not suffer the loss of performance of Otto fuel II types at greater depths since there is no exhaust to deal with at greater pressures. The result is a 150% improvement in speed and 200% in torpedo endurance.[3]

NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced

Meanwhile, in Italy, WASS is developing NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced), new future torpedo for the Italian Navy as result of government program A/R SMD 1/2010[4] for development new BSA torpedoes for 87.5 million euros, within 2020:

  • On 12 January 2014, first test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè[5]
  • On 19 June 2014, second test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè[6]

BSA will arm Italian Todaro-class submarines, with about 80 torpedoes expected.

NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced will be on board new Italian

Operators

Current operators

 Chilean Navy
100 torpedoes were ordered in 2003.[7]
It is used with conventional attack submarines:
 Ecuadorian Navy
16 torpedoes ordered in 2012 for €24.6 million.[8]
It is used with conventional attack submarines:
 Indonesian Navy
29 torpedoes ordered in 2019.[9]
It is used with conventional attack submarines:
 Italian Navy
About 80 torpedoes (BSA - Black Shark Advanced) were ordered for the navy.[10]
It is being used with the conventional attack submarines:
The Italian Navy is also planning to use the torpedoes with future ships:[11]
 Royal Malaysian Navy
30 torpedoes ordered in 2003 for €90 million.[12][13][14]
It is used with conventional attack submarines:
 Portuguese Navy
24 torpedoes ordered in 2005 for €47 million.[15][16]
It is used with conventional attack submarines:
 Republic of Singapore Navy
50 torpedoes ordered in 2012.[17]
It is used with conventional attack submarines:
They are rumoured to be upgraded to the Black Shark Advanced standard, and to be used with the:[18][19]

Future operators

 Indian Navy
48 torpedoes ordered in 2025, deliveries planned for 2028-30.[20][21]
It will be used with conventional attack submarines:

Potential sales

 Indonesian Navy
The Indonesian Navy ordered 6 DRASS compact submarines. They are equipped of 2 bow-mounted torpedo launchers, and can have 2 externally mounted launchers.[22]
The Indonesia Navy also ordered 2 Scorpene Evolved class submarines. The Scorpène is already qualified with this torpedo, and Indonesia might make a follow-up order.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Submarine Orders Are a Boon for Torpedo Market". Aviationweek.com. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  2. ^ "Black shark" (PDF). WASS. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  3. ^ a b "A184/Black Shark (Italy)". Naval Weapon Systems. Jane's. 6 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Camera dei deputati Dossier DI0272_0". documenti.camera.it.
  5. ^ "Primo lancio del Black Shark Advanced da sommergibile - DETTAGLIO - WASS". Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Secondo Lancio BSA - DETTAGLIO - WASS". Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  7. ^ "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
  8. ^ "Detalle de Contratos Institucionales" (PDF) (in Spanish). Ministry of Defence (Ecuador). 4 April 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  9. ^ Indonesia, C. N. N. "Kapal Selam Alugoro, KRI TNI AL Usung Torpedo Generasi Baru". teknologi.
  10. ^ "First launch of the new Black Shark Advanced heavyweight torpedo". www.leonardo.com. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  11. ^ Peruzzi, Luca (5 June 2024). "Italy set to increase Submarine Force, Develop new U212 NFS EVO". Naval News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  12. ^ "'Banche armate': Attenzione alle estere, orizzonte Ue / Notizie / Home - Unimondo". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
  14. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Janes.com.
  15. ^ "Due aprile: Pacifisti in piazza col "conto armato"? / Notizie / Home - Unimondo". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Borsa Italiana: sito ufficiale della Borsa di Milano - Borsa Italiana" (PDF). www.borsaitaliana.it.
  17. ^ "Singapore Submarine Capabilities | NTI". www.nti.org.
  18. ^ Peruzzi, Luca (22 April 2025). "UDT 2025 - Welcome back WASS, now a Fincantieri company". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Singapore Submarine Capabilities". The Nuclear Threat Initiative. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  20. ^ "MoD inks Rs 4,666 crore contracts for Close Quarter Battle Carbine & Heavy Weight Torpedoes" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  21. ^ Pubby, Manu (15 April 2025). "Italian 'Black Shark' surfaces as top torpedo contender". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  22. ^ Peruzzi, Luca (4 March 2026). "Italy's DRASS will provide six new-generation compact submarines in addition to SDVs to Indonesia". Naval News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  23. ^ "PT PAL dan Naval Group Bangun Kapal Selam Scorpene Evolve di Dalam Negeri". indonesiadefense.com (in Indonesian). 31 July 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.

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