K745 Blue Shark

South Korean light anti-submarine torpedo
Maximum speed 45+ knots (83+ km/h)
Guidance
system
Acoustic
Launch
platform
Vessel / aircraft / helicopter

The K745 Blue Shark (Korean: 청상어; RR: Cheong-sang-eo) is a light anti-submarine torpedo developed for the Republic of Korea Navy in 2004.[1]

Development

The Blue Shark torpedo can be deployed from surface ships, ASW helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. Production cost for each torpedo is at about ₩ 1,000,000,000.[2]

Blue Shark torpedoes are fitted to the Incheon class frigate (FFX).[3] It is exported to the Philippines as part of the acquisition process for the Jose Rizal-class Frigates.[4]

Variants

An improved variant, the lightweight torpedo-2 is being developed by LIG Nex1. New capabilities include longer range and lesser vulnerability to decoys.[5] The research and development program is expected to be complete in 2029.[6]

Operators

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

  • APR-3E torpedo - Russian equivalent
  • Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo - US Navy's equivalent
  • A244-S - Italian equivalent
  • MU90 Impact - French/Italian equivalent
  • Sting Ray (torpedo) - British equivalent
  • TAL Shyena - Indian equivalent
  • Yu-7 torpedo - Chinese equivalent
  • Type 97 light weight torpedo (G-RX4) - Japanese equivalent

References

  1. ^ "S.Korea deploys 4 "submarine killer" helicopters against N.Korea - NK News - North Korea News". NK News. 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  2. ^ "With one wrong swipe, South Korea loses $5M worth of weapons". 5 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Incheon Class Frigates / Future Frigate Experimental (FFX), South Korea". Archived from the original on 2017-07-24. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
  4. ^ "Manila selects torpedo, countermeasures suppliers for PN's José Rizal-class frigates". Janes.com. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  5. ^ Lee, Daehan (5 April 2022). "S.Korea Selects LIG Nex1 To Improve Blue Shark Torpedo". Naval News. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  6. ^ "LIG Nex1 to develop next-generation variant of Blue Shark torpedo". Janes. 5 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  7. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (18 September 2020). "Anti-sub helicopters' torpedoes, missiles now in PH: Navy chief". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 31 May 2023.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to K745 Blue Shark.