The Black Shark is a heavyweight torpedo developed by :it:Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei|WASS of Italy. It is most closely associated with the diesel-electric submarines produced by France for the export market, but is also found in the Type 209 submarines.
Development
Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Italy developed the Black Shark torpedo as an evolution of the A184, with more advanced ECCM abilities and sonar. The advancements in electric motor design and battery allowed an increase in both range and speed.
Features
The Black Shark torpedo offers fibre optic wire for increased bandwidth and signal processing ability compared to copper wireguided torpedo types. The sonar capability include non-doppler shifted target discrimination and multi-frequency capability that features advanced spatial and angular analysis abilities. The design goal for the torpedo was 300% improvement of passive acquisition and 200% active acquisition with its sonar system. The brushless motor design coupled with the aluminum-silver oxide battery gives the system a top speed 50+ knot, and a range of 50 km, performance envelope. 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.
In 2008 France signed a development contract for 93 heavy torpedoes for its nuclear submarines, to be delivered from 2015. The F21 has since been developed by DCNS.
NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced
Meanwhile, in Italy, :it:Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei|WASS is developing NSP / BSA, new future torpedo for the Italian Navy as result of government program A/R SMD 1/2010 for development new BSA torpedoes for 87.5 million euros, within 2020:
12.02.2014 first test launch new NSP / BSA by SSK Scirè
19.06.2014 second test launch new NSP / BSA by SSK Scirè
BSA will arm ItalianTodaro-class submarines, with about 80 torpedoes expected. NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced will be on board new Italian Navy PPA vessels, with two launchers under the flight deck. Warhead weight = 350/400 kg.
