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{{Infobox weapon
'''Yu-7''' (鱼-7) torpedo is the Chinese development of the US [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46 Mod. 2 light ASW torpedo]], and it is the [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46 Mod. 2 light ASW torpedo]] incorporating technologies of [[A244-S]] torpedo. Many domestic Chinese sources have considered Yu-7 torpedo as the Chinese equivalent of US [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46 Mod. 3 torpedo]].
| name = Yu-7 torpedo
| image =
| caption =
| origin = People's Republic of China
| type = Lightweight [[anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] [[torpedo]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = y
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive = y
| is_artillery =
| is_vehicle =
| is_missile = y
| is_UK = <!-- Service history -->
| service = Early 1990s
| used_by = [[People's Liberation Army Navy]]
| wars = <!-- Production history -->
| designer = [[China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation]]
| design_date = 1980s<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| manufacturer =
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| number =
| variants = <!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label =
| weight = {{convert|235|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| length = {{convert|2.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter = {{convert|324|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge =
| caliber =
| barrels =
| action =
| rate =
| velocity =
| range = {{convert|14.1|km|nmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| max_range =
| feed =
| sights = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling = high explosive
| filling_weight = {{convert|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}} shaped charge<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| detonation =
| yield = <!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour =
| primary_armament =
| secondary_armament =
| engine =
| engine_power =
| pw_ratio =
| transmission =
| payload_capacity =
| suspension =
| clearance =
| wingspan =
| propellant = [[Otto fuel II]]<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| fuel_capacity =
| vehicle_range =
| ceiling =
| altitude =
| depth = {{convert|400|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| boost =
| speed = >{{convert|45|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| guidance = active / passive acoustic homing
| steering = CIACIO-S seeker<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
| accuracy =
| launch_platform = Surface ships<br>
Helicopters
| transport =
}}

The '''Yu-7''' ({{zh|c=鱼-7|p=yú-7|l=fish 7}}; from {{zh|c=鱼雷|l=fish bomb}}, meaning ‘torpedo’) is a lightweight [[torpedo]] developed by the [[People's Republic of China]]. It entered service in the 1990s as the principal [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] weapon of major [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] (PLAN) warships. The Yu-7 is a derivative of the [[Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei]] (WASS) [[A244-S|A244/S]] torpedo.<ref name="janes_dragon">{{cite web |url= https://www.janes.com/images/assets/911/72911/Undersea_dragon_Chinese_ASW_capabilities_advance.pdf |title=Undersea dragon: Chinese ASW capabilities advance |publisher=Jane's |date=2017 |access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref>


==Development==
==Development==
Development of an effective lightweight [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] (ASW) torpedo for the PLAN began in the 1980s. The program was probably based on 40 A244/S torpedoes purchased for evaluation from Italy in 1987. Additional technology may have been [[Reverse engineering|reverse engineered]] from a [[United States]] [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mark 46 Mod 2]] torpedo recovered from the [[South China Sea]] in 1978 by Chinese fishermen. Development was carried out by the 705th Institute (also known as [[Xi'an]] Precision Machinery Research Institute, 西安精密机械研究所). The torpedo was initially equipped with electric propulsion, but inadequate performance led to a redesign powered by [[Otto fuel II]]. Testing was carried out at the 750 Testing Range in Kunming up to 1988.<ref name="janes_dragon"/>


One Chinese source alleges that during [[China–United States relations#Normalization (1979–1989)|the intense technology cooperation between the China and the US in the 1980s]], a plan was made to license-produce the Mk 46 Mod 2 in China, though it was not completed due to its steep price. Nevertheless, Chinese personnel visited the torpedo-producing facilities at Honeywell, watched the testing of Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedos, and signed a 1985 contract that involves the transfer of 4 completed Mk 46 Mod 2 torpedoes, a maintenance facility, and technical documents to China. The same source claims that China has also studied the [[Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes]] on a Pakistani frigate.<ref name=pengpai>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1359942#p=2 |title=揭秘中国鱼-7系列反潜鱼雷 |publisher=澎湃新闻 |date=2015-08-03 |access-date=2019-05-24 |archive-date=2016-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218141436/http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1359942#p=2 |url-status=live }} &ndash; 1985 visit relating to Mk 46 is supported by snippets of contemporary Chinese reports.</ref>
According to official information released by the Chinese government, several US [[Mark 46 torpedo]]es had been recovered by Chinese fishermen in the 1970’s and 1980’s, with the most advanced version as the [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46 Mod. 1 Block 2 torpedo]] recovered in October, 1978 from [[South China Sea]]. Decision was given to reverse the American torpedo under the name “Project 109” to produce the badly needed [[ASW]] light torpedo for the Chinese military. 705th Institute (also called [[Xi'an]] Precision Machinery Research Institute, 西安精密机械研究所) and [[Northwestern Polytechnical University]] were tasked with the research team, while the No. 872 Factory and No. 874 Factory were assigned as the production facility. Full scale development started in 1984, with over 90 enterprises country involved in assisting the 4 major enterprises to develop the torpedo. 705th Institute (also known as [[Xi'an]] Precision Machinery Research Institute, 西安精密机械研究所) was the responsible for shallow water control systems of the torpedo and [[Northwestern Polytechnical University]] was the responsible for shallow water control systems of the torpedo. The Yu-7 torpedo is consisted of over 5,000 spare parts and 4,500 instruments, while its blueprints numbered over 80,000 and technical documents totaled over 100,000 pages. The first two prototype torpedoes were assembled in No. 874 Factory in December 1984 and tested in the 750 Testing Range (750试验场) in [[Kunming]] in December 1985. By 1989 the Yu-7 torpedoes had successfully undertaken 68 launches in four separate sea trials.


==Description==
In the meantime, the development of Yu-7 torpedo obtained a great boost from USA technical support in 1985, when China signed a US$ 8 million deal with USA in purchasing [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46 Mod. 2 torpedo]]es with technological supports for license assembly. [[George H. W. Bush|Bush Administration]] had faced significant criticism from congress and many human rights activists groups for delivering the last batch of [[Mark 46 torpedo|Mk 46 Mod. 2 torpedo]] to China after the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]], but the [[George H. W. Bush|Bush Administration]] countered that the delivery was the completion of previous deal prior to the crackdown. Another great benefit to the Yu-7 torpedo program was the Chinese purchase of 40 or so Italian [[Alenia]] [[A244-S]] light [[ASW]] torpedo in 1987, with the 705th Institute assigned to reverse engineer this torpedo as well. The incorporation of technologies of Italian [[Alenia]] [[A244-S]] light [[ASW]] torpedo caused design changes and thus delayed the schedule, but according the western sources such as [[Jane's Information Group]], the biggest factor that caused the delay in the schedule was the difficulties encountered in converting the British system to metric system and American [[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]] standards to international standards. Yu-7 torpedo finally received certification in 1994 and went to full production in late 1990s.
The Yu-7 has contrarotating propellers. Aboard surface warships, it is fired from Type 7424 tripled 324 mm torpedo launchers; these are copies or derivatives of the WASS B515/ILAS-3.<ref name="janes_dragon"/>


==Specifications==
==Deployment==
The Yu-7 entered service in the 1990s.<ref name="janes_dragon"/>
*Diameter: 324 mm

*Length: 2.6 metre
== Export variant ==
*Weight: 235 kg
[[File:ET-52C torpedoes.jpg|thumb|ET-52C torpedoes mounted on the [[PNS Zulfiquar (F251)|PNS Zulfiquar]] frigate. Picture taken during the ship's goodwill visit to Malaysia in August 2009.]]
*Warhead: 45 kg
The '''ET52''' is an export version of Yu-7. It shares most of the developmental heritage including the A244/S and the Mk 46 Mod 2,<ref>{{cite book|title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems|author=Norman Friedman}}</ref> but is most notably different in its mechanism of propulsion: a single propeller driven by electric power. Variants that have appeared in text include ET52C and ET52E. <ref>{{cite web |title=ET-52 |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/447-HH14%20-%20ET-52 |website=WeaponSystems.net |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>
*Guidance: active / passive acoustic homing

*Propulsion: [[Otto fuel II]]
Although the electric torpedo has reduced range, it's reportedly only 1/2 to 1/3 the price of a Otto fuel II torpedo.
*Range: 13.5 - 14 [[km]]

*Speed: 30 / 43 kt for cruise / attack
==Yu-11==
*Depth: > 400 metre
{{main|Yu-11 torpedo}}
The '''Yu-11''' ({{zh|c=鱼-11|p=yú-11|l=fish 11}}) is the successor to the Yu-7. It was first publicly identified in July 2015. The major improvement appears to be the [[pump-jet]] propulsor. The Yu-11 torpedo is quieter and may potentially operate at depths greater than 600 metres. The Yu-11 is longer, at three metres, and heavier than the Yu-7.<ref name="janes_dragon"/>

The Yu-11 is likely to become the standard PLAN lightweight torpedo and may have started equipping modern PLAN warships since 2012.<ref name="janes_dragon"/>

==See also==
* [[Export torpedoes of China]]
* [[APR-3E torpedo]] - Russian equivalent
* [[A244-S]] - Italian equivalent
* [[Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo]] - US Navy's equivalent
* [[MU90 Impact]] - French/Italian equivalent
* [[Sting Ray (torpedo)]] - British equivalent
* [[Advanced Light Torpedo Shyena|TAL Shyena]] - Indian equivalent
* [[Chung Sang Eo|K745 Chung Sang Eo]] - South Korean equivalent
* [[Type 97 light weight torpedo (G-RX4)]] - Japanese equivalent


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Unreferenced|date=October 2007}}

*http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/weapon/yu7.asp
{{Chinese Torpedoes}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Yu-7 Torpedo}}
[[Category:Torpedoes]]
[[Category:Torpedoes of China]]
[[Category:Naval weaponry of the People's Republic of China]]
[[Category:Aerial torpedoes]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]

Latest revision as of 14:01, 31 December 2024

Yu-7 torpedo
TypeLightweight ASW torpedo
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
In serviceEarly 1990s
Used byPeople's Liberation Army Navy
Production history
DesignerChina Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
Designed1980s[1]
Specifications
Mass235 kg (518 lb)[1]
Length2.7 m (8.9 ft)[1]
Diameter324 mm (12.8 in)
Effective firing range14.1 km (7.6 nmi)[1]
Warheadhigh explosive
Warhead weight45 kg (99 lb) shaped charge[1]
PropellantOtto fuel II[1]
Maximum depth400 m (1,300 ft)[1]
Maximum speed >45 kn (83 km/h)[1]
Guidance
system
active / passive acoustic homing
Steering
system
CIACIO-S seeker[1]
Launch
platform
Surface ships
Helicopters

The Yu-7 (Chinese: 鱼-7; pinyin: yú-7; lit. 'fish 7'; from Chinese: 鱼雷; lit. 'fish bomb', meaning ‘torpedo’) is a lightweight torpedo developed by the People's Republic of China. It entered service in the 1990s as the principal anti-submarine weapon of major People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships. The Yu-7 is a derivative of the Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS) A244/S torpedo.[1]

Development

[edit]

Development of an effective lightweight anti-submarine (ASW) torpedo for the PLAN began in the 1980s. The program was probably based on 40 A244/S torpedoes purchased for evaluation from Italy in 1987. Additional technology may have been reverse engineered from a United States Mark 46 Mod 2 torpedo recovered from the South China Sea in 1978 by Chinese fishermen. Development was carried out by the 705th Institute (also known as Xi'an Precision Machinery Research Institute, 西安精密机械研究所). The torpedo was initially equipped with electric propulsion, but inadequate performance led to a redesign powered by Otto fuel II. Testing was carried out at the 750 Testing Range in Kunming up to 1988.[1]

One Chinese source alleges that during the intense technology cooperation between the China and the US in the 1980s, a plan was made to license-produce the Mk 46 Mod 2 in China, though it was not completed due to its steep price. Nevertheless, Chinese personnel visited the torpedo-producing facilities at Honeywell, watched the testing of Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedos, and signed a 1985 contract that involves the transfer of 4 completed Mk 46 Mod 2 torpedoes, a maintenance facility, and technical documents to China. The same source claims that China has also studied the Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes on a Pakistani frigate.[2]

Description

[edit]

The Yu-7 has contrarotating propellers. Aboard surface warships, it is fired from Type 7424 tripled 324 mm torpedo launchers; these are copies or derivatives of the WASS B515/ILAS-3.[1]

Deployment

[edit]

The Yu-7 entered service in the 1990s.[1]

Export variant

[edit]
ET-52C torpedoes mounted on the PNS Zulfiquar frigate. Picture taken during the ship's goodwill visit to Malaysia in August 2009.

The ET52 is an export version of Yu-7. It shares most of the developmental heritage including the A244/S and the Mk 46 Mod 2,[3] but is most notably different in its mechanism of propulsion: a single propeller driven by electric power. Variants that have appeared in text include ET52C and ET52E. [4]

Although the electric torpedo has reduced range, it's reportedly only 1/2 to 1/3 the price of a Otto fuel II torpedo.

Yu-11

[edit]
Main article: Yu-11 torpedo

The Yu-11 (Chinese: 鱼-11; pinyin: yú-11; lit. 'fish 11') is the successor to the Yu-7. It was first publicly identified in July 2015. The major improvement appears to be the pump-jet propulsor. The Yu-11 torpedo is quieter and may potentially operate at depths greater than 600 metres. The Yu-11 is longer, at three metres, and heavier than the Yu-7.[1]

The Yu-11 is likely to become the standard PLAN lightweight torpedo and may have started equipping modern PLAN warships since 2012.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Undersea dragon: Chinese ASW capabilities advance" (PDF). Jane's. 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  2. ^ "揭秘中国鱼-7系列反潜鱼雷". 澎湃新闻. 2015-08-03. Archived from the original on 2016-02-18. Retrieved 2019-05-24. – 1985 visit relating to Mk 46 is supported by snippets of contemporary Chinese reports.
  3. ^ Norman Friedman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems.
  4. ^ "ET-52". WeaponSystems.net. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
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