53-65-Series – Wake-homing Torpedo

WEAPON / Difficulty / DAM / PEN / Speed / Guidance / Warhead / RNG
53-65 / Average / C:38 B:23 / 346c / 83km/h / Wake / 300kg / 18km
53-65K / Average / C:38 B:23 / 346c / 83km/h / Wake / 300kg / 19km
53-65M / Average / C:38 B:23 / 346c / 81km/h / Wake / 300kg / 22km
WEIGHT
PRICE
OTHER

The 53-65 torpedo family are Russian made, wake-homing torpedoes designed to take out surface ships. The 53-65 became operational in 1965, while the 53-65K and 53-65M both became operational in 1969. The 53-65KE is an exported version. They are members of the Type 53 torpedos.

[edit] Specifications

·  Primary function: High explosive torpedo for sinking surface ships

·  Power plant:

o  53-65 and 53-65M: Kerosene-hydrogen peroxide turbine

o  53-65K: Kerosene-oxygen turbine

·  Length: 23.6 ft (7.2 m)

·  Weight: 4,563 lbs - 4,630 lbs (2,070 kg - 2,300 kg)

·  Diameter: 21 in (533 mm)

·  Range:

o  53-65: 18,000 m

o  53-65K: 19,000 m

o  53-65M: 22,000 m

·  Speed:

o  53-65 and 53-65K: 45 kt (52 mi/h, 83 km/h)

o  53-65M: 44 kt (51 mi/h, 81 km/h)

·  Guidance system: Wake-homing

·  Warhead: 661 lb (300 kg) high explosive

·  Operational since:

o  53-65: 1965

o  53-65K and 53-65M: 1969

Instead of using active or passive homing as other torpedos do, the 53-65 torpedoes use wake homing, which, upon finding the wake of a ship, turns to follow the wake to guide itself to the ship. The torpedoes have no way of telling which way the target ship is headed when they reach the wake, so they aren't as effective as other means of homing. To date, there have been no reports of a countermeasure that can confuse these torpedoes, making them very successful when they do home on to a ship.

The 53-65 is a heavy gas-turbine propulsion, wave-homing anti-ship torpedo originally developed in 1965. The late 1960s witnessed the introduction of an oxygen version 53-65K which was extensively employed by the Soviet Navy. The 53-65KE is the improved export variant which has been sold to many countries. The PLA Navy ordered some unknown number of the 53-65KE and TEST-71 torpedoes in the late 1990s to arms its four Kilo class diesel-electric submarines. Unconfirmed reports suggested that China may seek to produce the torpedo locally under license, but it is also possible that China is developing its own wake-homing torpedo based on the 53-65KE technology.

DESIGN

The 53-65KE is designed to engage surface ships and can be launched from submarines and surface combatants. The torpedo is fitted with a unique wave-homing system, which enables the torpedo to chase the tail marks of surface ships. This provides the torpedo with very high jamming immunity to conventional means of torpedo-defence countermeasures. The torpedo’s course, depth, and roll control system provides for two-plane manoeuvring of the torpedo and steers it into the proximity fuse actuation zone or ensures a direct hit on the target. Its turbine-type thermal propulsion system ensures a considerable operating range and running speed. The 53-65KE is reliable and easy to operate, requiring no maintenance even when stored in torpedo tubes, on carrier racks, or in arsenals for a long time