Underwater Guided Projectile Firing Ability Gain
İbrahim SUNNETCI
Today, it is launched from a submarine using two different launch platforms, the G/M Vertical Launcher (VLS) and the Torpedo Sleeve. While the VLS concept is a cost and somewhat weight-increasing option in submarine design, it offers the user the ability to carry/fire a greater quantity and variety of guided missiles or cruise missiles. From the 1970s to the present, two basic concepts have been implemented for Firing from the Torpedo Sleeve: a capsule with a propulsion system or a floating capsule without a propulsion system.
The SM-39 Exocet G/M is loaded into the submarine in a waterproof, shockproof, homing underwater vehicle (VSM, capsule) with a rocket engine on the back and thrust through a 533mm (21 pus) diameter torpedo tube at a depth of 50-60m (which For this, there must be a positive discharge type equipment in the hive) is thrown.
Surface exit of the SM-39 Exocet Guided Missile with the VSM capsule and leaving the capsule...
After leaving the hive, the VSM, which moves towards the water surface with a certain speed and angle, starts the rocket engine when it approaches the water surface. After taking off about 15-20m from the sea surface, the forward cover is removed and the SM39 Exocet G/M, which starts the rocket engine, leaves the capsule at an altitude of about 30m and heads towards its target. According to open sources, VSM reduces the risk of detecting the location of the submarine since it is launched from a depth of approximately 50-60m from the submarine below the periscope depth and travels in the water for a while after the launch.
MdCN exits underwater with capsule and then leaves capsule
The same concept is used in the submarine-launched version of the Naval Cruise Missile/NCM/MdCN, which is also a MBDA product.
The moment when the MdCN/NCM Missile emerges from underwater with the capsule
The Encapsulated Harpoon (UGM-84) Guided Missile, which is also in the inventory of the Turkish Naval Forces, is launched from a 533mm diameter torpedo tube in a floating capsule without any propulsion system (electric or rocket engine) at periscope depth. After exiting the hive, the two folded balance flaps (fins) on the back of the capsule are released/open, and the capsule, which travels through the water at a certain angle with the effect of completely static hydrodynamic forces, starts a stable static pitching maneuver after a while with the breakage of the control surfaces. As a result, the nose part of the capsule rises to the water surface at a certain angle, while the tail part is separated and the nose part of the capsule is launched by a small rocket.
UGM-84 Encapsulated Harpoon capsule interior section and exterior view..
The UGM-84 Harpoon leaves the capsule, starting the G/M turbojet engine. According to open sources, after leaving the capsule, the Harpoon G/M first climbs to 600m and then descends to its target. In this concept, the launch point of G/M is limited to the place where the submarine is located. It is also claimed that in this concept, the risk of detecting the location of the submarine is higher after the launch (due to both the capsule coming to the surface near the launch point and the 600m altitude of the G/M).
In Turkey, Roketsan and TÜBİTAK SAGE are working on underwater guided missile firing capability. Unlike the SM-39 VSM and UGM-84 capsules, on the New Generation Long Range G/M Capsule, for which Roketsan still continues its concept/development studies using its own resources, the control propulsion system, battery, mission computer, inertial measurement unit and propulsion system [electrical engine]. In fact, the New Generation G/M Capsule, which will be a long-range torpedo capsule, will advance to the target very slowly and silently after leaving the hive, and will suddenly come to the surface at the desired point.
Carrying out the Roketsan AKYA National Heavy Torpedo and ORKA Light Torpedo Projects, ROKETSAN made a presentation titled 'Next Generation Torpedo Systems' at the 'Emerging Technologies in the Naval Defense Industry Workshop' held at the Rahmi Koç Museum Conference Hall on March 8, 2017. They shared striking information about the capabilities and usage concept of the [G/M] Capsule.
In the presentation, attention was drawn to the fact that the New Generation G/M Capsule is actually a torpedo capsule, and it was underlined that Roketsan's experience in the torpedo field is being carried to the capsule level. The purpose is; It was summarized as "to move the capsule away from the submarine like a torpedo so that it stays safely at a distance without having to get too close to the target." In order to avoid the risk of capturing the submarine, it was aimed that the capsule would be able to move away from the submarine like a torpedo, approach the target, and then come to the surface at the desired point and launch a G/M. This capability was expected to lead to changes in G/M related requirements as well. In this way, the difficulties required by a very long-range G/M, both in terms of project and technique, could be eliminated to some extent. Because in this way, the need for exceeding the long range would have been met through the capsule to a large extent.
The advantages of the New Generation G/M Capsule were listed as follows:
• Protecting the secrecy of the submarine (which would also contribute to the protection of the secrecy of the submarine as it could be launched from deeper than the capsules still in use and would surface far from the launch point).
• Optimal use of the theater.
• Sudden Strike ability (the pod would move very slowly and silently to the target and appear out of nowhere).
• Limited reaction time (for the other party).
• Underwater/overwater trajectory/concept optimization.
At that time, Roketsan also launched Torpedo Payload Concepts (in the first stage, studies were being carried out on an optical system integrated into the torpedo), RamJet engine technologies (works were underway to switch from subsonic speed to hypersonic speed), and Super Cavity Torpedo (Conceptual Design Phase), which was also initiated as an equity project. was working on)
In the presentation made during the 10th Naval Systems Seminar held by Roketsan in November 2021, it was noted that the capsule system can be preferred both for the use of air defense missiles from submarines and when using missiles against land targets from submarines.
TÜBİTAK SAGE, another player in our country working on underwater guided missile firing capability, implemented Turkey's first submarine test infrastructure, DATA, in June 2022 and started firing tests with a test capsule (Encapsulated Harpoon capsule). As a test platform, DATA can test and simulate submarine munitions without the need for a submarine.
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DATA, which will enable the testing of submarine munitions without being connected to a submarine, has been developed in the same way as the launch system from the shell in GÜR and PREVEZE Class Submarines. DATA, which offers the opportunity to shoot up to a depth of 60 meters under water, can also be controlled from the land. An infrastructure where all guided missile systems fired from submarine to air, land or sea surface can be easily tested without the need for a submarine, including the versions of DATA, ATMACA and GEZGİN Guided Missiles to be used from submarines. The system, which has a 21-inch standard submarine shell, ensures that test firings are carried out under the same conditions as submarines, but in a safer, faster and lower cost manner.
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Encapsulated Harpoon was written on the floating test capsule used in the short video shared about the shooting test with DATA.
Frames from the submarine firing test of the BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile;
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