RAT-52



Overview


RAT-52

Soviet RAT-52 aerial torpedo shown under one of the two outboard pylons on the Il-28T naval bomber.
Source: www.airwar.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Lightweight torpedo
Entered service
1953
Status
Obsolete
Development
1947 - 1950 (design)
1950 - 1952 (state tests)
Developer
Soviet Union - NII-2
Production
1953 - ?
Producer
Soviet Union
Soviet Union - Dagdizel
Number produced
Produced in large numbers
Designations
RAT-52 / Reaktivnaia Aviacionnaia Torpeda 52
Russian for "rocket-powered aviation torpedo 52"
Notable users
Soviet Union
China

Description


Introduction

The RAT-52 is an early Cold War era rocket powered aerial torpedo of Soviet origin. It was developed for anti-shipping use by jet-powered naval bomber aircraft. A rocket powered torpedo was developed in the later stages of World War 2, but was never adopted. The rocket powered torpedo has a very fast underwater speed, but is powered only for a short duration of time. The high speed was envisioned to reduce the time in which the target can take evasive maneuvers, increasing chances to hit.

Design

The RAT-52 is a rather unique torpedo. This is mainly since it is powered by a rocket that is ignited and burns underwater. A magnesium alloy body was used to reduce the weight. As an aviation torpedo it has four large tailfins to stabilize its glide path upon release. Before entering the water a retarding parachute is employed. after

Firepower

The RAT-52 is fitted with a 240 kg warhead and a contact fuse. This warhead was determined to be effective against a frigate sized target. Multiple torpedoes can be used to engage larger targets. Soviet calculations estimate that 8 hits are able to sink a 50.000 t aircraft carrier. The RAT-52 reaches speeds of 58 to 68 knots underwater depending on release speed. The range is rather short, being only 500 to 600 meters. This requires dropping the RAT-52 torpedo in a very small engagement zone near the target. Combined with the high speed of the jet-powered naval bomber this requires special radar and optical sights.

Guidance

The RAT-52 was envisioned to include passive acoustic homing. Testing proved that the noise of the jet engine causes too much interference and the homing system was removed from the design. Gyroscopes are used to keep the torpedo on the predetermined heading. Heading and moment of release are determined by the PSBN-M radar sight and the OPB-6SR optical sight on the launch aircraft. Tests in 1953 showed a 17 to 38% chance to hit a non-maneuvering target with a single weapon. Chances to hit increased when dropping larger numbers of torpedoes. The optimal launch altitude was found to be around 4 km, resulting in a good mix of minimizing time to hit and maximizing stand-off release range for the launch aircraft.

Platforms

The World War 2 era Tu-2T propeller aircraft was the testbed and briefly was the first (semi-)operational platform for the RAT-52. The main platform for the RAT-52 would be the jet powered Il-28, able to achieve twice the speed. The regular Il-28 bomber aircraft could carry one RAT-52 in the bomb bay. The Il-28T torpedo bomber added two underwing pylons for a total of three weapons. The Tu-14T had two underwing pylons while the Tu-16T bomber could carry four RAT-52 in its bomb bay.

Users

The RAT-52 was one of the most important post World War 2 aerial torpedoes in Soviet use. It complemented a vast arsenal of less capable World War 2 era aerial torpedoes. With the advent of radar guided anti-aircraft guns an aerial torpedo with standoff range and high release speed was very important. The anti-shipping role later taken over by anti-ship missiles. The RAT-52 was officially removed from Soviet navy service in 1983. The RAT-52 was also acquired by China, which produced the domestic Yu-2 after the Sino-Soviet split.

Details


Facts RAT-52
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Rocked-powered aviation torpedo
Launch platform
Aircraft
Target platform
Surface vessels
Dimensions
Diameter
0.45 m body
0.75 m wingspan
Length
3.897 m
Weight
627 kg
Warhead
Type
240 to 243 kg TGA explosive
Fuse
KAVT-55 contact fuse
Self-destruct time fuse
Guidance
Homing
No, straight running torpedo
Triple gyroscope setup to steer torpedo into the predetermined course
Wire guidance
No
Propulsion
Engine type
RT-45-2 rocket motor
Power source
74 kg of solid propellant rocket fuel
800 to 1.200 kg thrust for 16 to 19 seconds
Performance
Speed
58 to 68 knots, depending on release parameters
Range
520 to 600 m
Depth
2 to 8 m running depth
18 to 20 m depth upon entering the water
Engagement envelope
Release altitude
1.5 to 10 km
4 km optimal launch altitude
Release speed
800 to 900 km/h
Parachute
PAS-1 parachute, opens at 550 m altitude

Media