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AT-2


NATO: E53-72A


Overview

AT-2UM

AT-2UM torpedoes suspended under 84R rockets in KT-100 quad launcher on Project 1134A (NATO: Kresta II) class guided missile cruiser.
Source: www.topwar.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavyweight torpedo
Entered service
1965 for AT-2
1972 for AT-2U
Status
In service
Development
Early 1960's (AT-2)
Early 1970's (AT-2M)
Developer
Soviet Union - NII-400 (Gidropribor)
Production
Mid 1960's - 1978
Producer
Soviet Union - Dagdizel
Designations
Izdeliye 255 (article index)
E53-72A (NATO reporting name for AT-2U)
E45-72A (NATO reporting name, incorrect, changed to E53-72A)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Russia

Description

AT-2 air-launched torpedo

The AT-2 is a heavyweight air launched torpedo of Soviet origin. It was developed in the early 1960's for use against submarines. In order to achieve the requested range, speed and detection range a large diameter torpedo was required. This makes the AT-2 one of the few air launched heavyweight torpedoes developed during the Cold War. The majority of air-launched torpedoes are much smaller and only a quarter of the weight.

Design of the AT-2 is conventional with electric propulsion and acoustic homing. The AT-2 is carried by fixed wing anti-submarine warfare aircraft, not by helicopters. The AT-2U is a modified AT-2 for use by the large Metel ASW rocket system.

Existing AT-2 and AT-2U were modernized to AT-2M and AT-2UM standard. This includes a new Sapfir homing system, larger 120 kg warhead and replacement of pneumatic systems with hydraulic ones.

List of launch aircraft and missile platforms

Ilyushin Il-38
The Il-38 (NATO: May) is a maritime patrol aircraft based on the Il-18 turboprop airliner. It can be considered the Soviet counterpart to the P-3 Orion.
Tupolev Tu-142
The Tu-142 (NATO: Bear) is a long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft based on the Tu-95 strategic bomber.
Beriev Be-12
The Be-12 (NATO: Mail) is an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft. Due to the limited weapon load often other weapons than the AT-2 are used on the Be-12.
70R
Rocket for the RPK-3 Metel ASW rocket system. Fitted with AT-2U variant.
84R
Rocket for the URPK-4 Metel-U ASW rocket system. Fitted with AT-2UM variant.

Details

Facts AT-2 AT-2M
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavyweight torpedo
Launch platform
AT-2 is air launched from ASW aircraft
AT-2U is payload of large ASW rocket
Target platform
Submarines
Dimensions
Diameter
533 mm
Length
4.80 m
Weight
985 kg
Warhead
Type
100 kg
Fuse
Magnetic proximity fuse, 8 m radius
AB-165V contact fuse
Self-destruct at depth of less than 15 m
Guidance
Homing
Two-plane active/passive acoustic homing
Homing range
0.4 to 0.8 km
Mid course update
No
Propulsion
Power source
A-222U silver-zinc battery
Propulsion
Propeller
Speed
40 kt in active attack mode
23 kt in active-passive search mode
Range
7.0 km at 40 kt
Depth
20 to 400 m

Media

Related articles

AT-1

The smaller diameter 450mm AT-1 air-launched torpedo was supplemented by AT-2. Although much larger, the AT-2 was faster, had a longer range and was at a later stage fitted with more capable homing systems.

Read more about AT-1