Russia's 'supercavitating' 300 km/hr killer torpedo

Here is some weapons technology news from Russia:

Russia's over 300 km/hr 'supercavitating' VA-111 Shkvall torpedo.

Note the movable 'nozzle' in front which shoots hot engine exhaust

which creates a steam and gas bubble around the torpedo

Russia's State-of-the-Art Torpedo That 'Changed the Rules of Maritime Warfare'

MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE

Russia modernizing VA-111 Shkval supercavitating torpedo in 2018-2025 program

torpedo can reach speeds over 300 kph.

Russia only country to have in service such an advanced weapon.

parameters will be seriously improved

part of 2018-2025 state armaments program

Shkval missile-torpedo, Soviet-designed aircraft carrier killer

entered service in 1977

Propelled by solid-fuel jet engine

torpedo speed over 300 kph

cruising speed outstanding 100 meters per second.
Now seriously upgraded in accordance with operational requirements

increased interest for Shkval in global arms market.

torpedo formidable weapon against American aircraft carrier

changed rules of maritime warfare

Shkval’s unprecedented speed due to supercavitation

torpedo travels in a cavitation pocket created by nose cone

expansion of hot engine gases

gas bubble envelops torpedo

minimizing contact with water

significantly reducing water drag

Cavitation creates problem for maneuvering

Shkval’s cavitating nose cone turns when torpedo changes direction

keeping it in a gas bubble while maneuvering

torpedo steers using four fins and nose cone

torpedoes sensitive to water temperature, water density at various depths

Shkval was breakthrough in hydrodynamics

Shkval puts Russia four decades ahead of rivals

weapon is mass-produced only in Russia

2005, Germany developed Barracuda missile-torpedo

However not yet put into mass production

US making similar efforts since 1997

no working prototype yet

My comments : The fastest "conventional" torpedos, which are propelled by battery powered electric motors, can reach speeds of about 50 knots or about 92 km/hr. This is already a very fast speed. There are no surface ships or submarines that can outrun a torpedo coming at them at 92 km/hr.

But surface ships and submarines can still have enough time to deploy 'countermeasures' - if they have detected the incoming torpedo.

But when a torpedo is coming at you at 300 km/hr there is much, much less time to deploy countermeasures or of avoiding it by manouvering.

And since the 300 km/hr torpedo is actually an underwater guided missile, the chances of escaping it are very slim.

In a "lets go out and shed some human blood" world, he who has Russia as a friend can feel more safe.