The A244-s is an Italian lightweight, fire-and-forget torpedo employed for anti-submarine warfare. It can be launched from surface vessels or aircraft and locates the target using an acoustic seeker.
A244-S Torpedo | |
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Type | Lightweight torpedo |
Place of origin | Italy |
Service history | |
In service | 1982 |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | WASS |
Specifications | |
Mass | 254 kg (560 lb) |
Length | 2.75 m (9.0 ft) |
Diameter | 324 mm (12.8 in) |
Effective firing range | 13.5 km (7.3 nmi) |
Maximum firing range | 6 km for Mod. 1, 13.5 km for Mod. 3 |
Warhead | high explosive STANAG 4439 and MURAT-2 compliant |
Warhead weight | 45 kg (99 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | various |
Engine | contra-rotating direct-drive brushless electric motor |
Propellant | AgCl-Mg battery |
Maximum depth | 600 m |
Maximum speed | 30/39 kn [16/20 m/s] |
Guidance system | active / passive acoustic homing |
Steering system | CIACIO-S seeker |
Launch platform | Vessel / aircraft / helicopter |
The torpedo uses a CIACIO-S seeker, consisting of an acoustic homing head containing the transducer assembly, transmitter, and related Beamforming circuits, and a frame housing all the remaining electronic components. The homing head is capable of active, passive, or mixed modes for closing onto its target. It can also discriminate between decoys and real targets in the presence of heavy reverberations especially emitted pulses and signal processing.
The latest version is the A244-S mod.3 torpedo.
The A244/s are developed and manufactured by the Italian WASS (Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei) firm.