A244



Overview


A244/S torpedo

Malaysian navy A244/S practice torpedo seen on an ammunition cart. Note the two contra-rotating propellers and air drop retarder attached to the rear.
Source: www.malaysiandefence.com - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Italy
Type
Lightweight torpedo
Entered service
1975 for A244
Status
In service
Development
1968 - 1973 (A244)
1975 - Early 1980's (A244/S)
Developer
Italy - Whitehead
Production
1975 - ?
Producer
Italy - Whitehead (WASS, Leonardo)
India - Bharat Dynamics Limited
Number produced
About 2.500 (estimate)
Notable users
Italy
India
Argentina
Chile

Description


Introduction

The A244 is a Cold War era lightweight torpedo of Italian origin. The A244 was developed to replace the US Mk 44 lightweight torpedo in Italian service. It was also widely exported and is one of the more common types of lightweight torpedo.

Design

The A244 is an anti-submarine warfare torpedo which is launched from surface vessels, helicopters or fixed wing aircraft. The A244 includes various design elements of the earlier A184 heavyweight torpedo. The A244 is an electrically powered torpedo powered by batteries. The engine and type of battery have been changes several times over the last three decades.

Guidance

The A244 uses an acoustic homing sensor with both passive and active modes. In each version of the A244 the sensor has been updated or modified, increasing its capabilities over time.

Firepower

The A244 uses a high explosive warhead with impact fuse. There are two or three speed settings depending on the variant. The maximum speed the A244 can achieve is about 39 knots. Early models had a 6 km range, the Mod 3 can reach up to 13.5 km.

Platforms

The A244 can be launched from surface vessels and helicopters. Later iterations can be dropped by maritime patrol aircraft as well, using a parachute attachment. For surface vessels the ILAS-3 or B-515 trainable triple torpedo tube is often used. This can be fitted various kinds of surface vessels.

Users

The A244 was developed for the Italian navy and was its first user. Various nations across the globe have adopted the A244. It remains in active service today, despite the introduction of newer lightweight torpedo designs.

Variants


A244/S torpedo

Malaysian navy A244/S practice torpedo being prepared for loading in the B515 triple torpedo tube seen at the rear.
Source: www.malaysiandefence.com - © Copyright lies with original owner

List of A244 lightweight torpedo variants

A244
First production model. Fitted with SEPA AG70 active/passive seeker unit. Quite capable in both deep and shallow water, but susceptible to acoustic decoys and loud conditions. Single frequency active homing.
A244/S
Improved model with CIACIO-S active/passive seeker. This seeker includes a microprocessor and is better at discriminating between the target and countermeasures. Uses triple frequency active homing. Sometimes called A244/S Mod 0 to distinguish it from later models.
A/244S Mod 1
Improved A244/S for use by helicopters equipped with dipping sonar. Introduced in 1987. Dipping sonar input is used to select the optimal seeker frequency and attack pattern.
A244/S Mod 2
Improved A244/S for use by helicopters and fixed wing aircraft deploying sonobuoys. Also introduced in 1987 alongside the Mod 1.
A244/S Mod 3
Deep modernization of A244/S by using various components of the MU90 lightweight torpedo. Introduced around 2000. A new type of battery is coupled to a multiple speed engine. The sensor package is improved as well. Offered as an upgrade for existing A/244S and a new built weapons.

Details


Facts A244 A244/S A244/S Mod 1 & 2 A244/S Mod 3
General
Origin
Italy
Type
Lightweight torpedo
Launch platform
Surface vessels, helicopters
Target platform
Submarines
Dimensions
Diameter
324 mm
Length
2.8 m
Weight
220 kg
Warhead
Type
34 kg HBX-3 explosive
Fuse
Impact
Guidance
Sensor
SEPA AG70
Homing
Active / passive acoustic homing
Singe frequency active homing
Wire guidance
No
Propulsion
Engine type
Electric motor
Power source
Silverchloride-magnesium battery
Propulsion
Twin contra-rotating propellers
Performance
Speed
About 30 knots (estimate)
Range
5 to 6 km (estimate)
Depth
About 300 m (estimate)

Media


Related articles


Mk 44

The A244 torpedo was initially developed to replace the American Mk 44 torpedo in Italian service.

ET-52

The Chinese ET-52 lightweight torpedo is very similar to, perhaps a direct copy of, the A244/S torpedo. A batch of A244/S was acquired by China in 1987.