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Yu-7


鱼-7


Overview


Yu-7

A number of Yu-7 torpedoes being lined up.
Source: www.globalmil.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
China
Type
Lightweight torpedo
Entered service
1994
Status
In service
Development
1984 - 1994
Developer
China - Xian Precision Machinery Research Institute
Production
1994 - present
Producer
China
Designations
鱼-7
Yu-7 (Chinese for "fish 7")
Notable users
China - Navy

Description


Introduction


The Yu-7 is a lightweight torpedo of Chinese origin. Since 1984 China tried to copy and later produce under license the US Mk 46 torpedo. This proved to be difficult and a batch of Italian A.224S torpedoes was ordered and the two designs were mated. An electrically powered Yu-7 offspring called the ET-52 was developed and put into service before the development of the Yu-7 was finished.

Design


The Yu-7 is a mixture of the Mk 46 Mod 1 and Mod 2 with various components from the A.224S torpedo. The Yu-7 retains the complex Otto fuel engine which provides it with a better performance than the electrically powered ET-52. The layout is conventional with the seeker in the nose, the warhead in the middle and the fuel and engine at the rear.

Guidance

The Yu-7 uses a combination of passive and active acoustic guidance. It is believed that the Mk 46 seeker design is retained, but several components have been replaced by those from the A.224S.

Firepower

The Yu-7 has a range of 10 km and a speed of 42 kt. Submarines can be engaged out to a depth of 400 meters. The 45 kg warhead is more powerful than the one used on the ET-52 and many other lightweight torpedoes.

Launch platforms

The Yu-7 is used on various Chinese frigates and destroyers. It is launched from three round launched mounted on the deck. As with the original Mk 46 the Yu-7 can be dropped by helicopters, but is hardly used in that way. It is possible that the cheaper ET-52 is reserved for use on helicopters.

Users

The Yu-7 is used on the majority of Chinese surface combatants. As far as known the Yu-7 has not been exported. Although it is the latest and most capable Chinese lightweight torpedo the Yu-7 is nowadays considered to be an outdated design. The Yu-11 was designed as a replacement.

Details


Yu-7

A Yu-7 torpedo being fired from a three round launcher on a surface vessel.
Source: www.globalmil.com - © copyright lies with original owner

The Yu-7 is a lightweight torpedo of Chinese origin. The design is based on the Mk 46 Mod 2 and incorporates features found on the Mk 46 Mod 1 and Italian A.224S. Both the Yu-7 and ET-52 are a mixed design based on the Mk 46 and A.224S. They can be easily identified by the twin propeller on the Yu-7 and single propeller and ring around the control fins on the ET-52.

Facts Yu-7
General
Origin
China
Type
Lightweight torpedo
Launch platform
Aircraft, surface ships
Target platform
Submarines
Dimensions
Diameter
324 mm
Length
2.6 m
Weight
235 kg
Warhead
Type
Shaped charge warhead
Weight
45 kg
Guidance
Seeker model
CIACIO-S
Homing
Active/passive acoustic seeker
Wire guidance
No
Propulsion
Power source
Otto Fuel II
Propulsion
Twin propeller
Speed
43 kt
Range
10 km
Depth
6 to 400 m depth

Media


Related articles


ET-52

The ET-52 is the electrically powered offspring from the Yu-7 development program and shares various components.

Type 12

The Type 12 is the modern Japanese counterpart to the Yu-7.