Black Shark torpedo

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

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 optical fibre 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. 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 (Al-AgO) battery gives the system a top speed 50 kn, 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.

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 for development new BSA torpedoes for 87.5 million euros, within 2020: BSA will arm Italian Todaro-class submarines, with about 80 torpedoes expected.
 * On 12 January 2014, first test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè
 * On 19 June 2014, second test launch new NSP / BSA (Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced) by SSK Scirè

NSP/BSA - Nuovo Siluro Pesante / Black Shark Advanced will be on board new Italian Navy PPA vessels (Full version), with two launchers under the flight deck. Warhead weight = 350/400 kg.

Users

 * O'Higgins class (100 in 2003)
 * Thompson class


 * Shiri class (16 in 2012 for 24.6 million euros)


 * Nagapasa class (29 in 2019)


 * Todaro class - all batches (BSA - Black Shark Advanced -; planned about 80 torpedoes for 4 U212A)


 * Tunku Abdul Rahman class (30 in 2003 for 90 million euros)


 * Tridente-class submarine (24 in 2005 for 47 million euros)


 * Archer-class submarine (50 in 2012)