SET-53


Yenot-1


Overview

SET-53

SET-53 torpedo on a weapon handling cart.
Source: www.bastion-karpenko.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavyweight torpedo
Entered service
1958 for SET-53
1964 for SET-53M
Status
Limited service
Development
1950 - 1957 for SET-53
Early 1960's for SET-53M
Developer
Soviet Union - NIMTI for SET-53, early phase
Soviet Union - Gidropribor for SET-53
Soviet Union - SKB Dvigatel for SET-53M
Production
1957 - ?
Producer
Soviet Union - Dvigatel
Designations
СЭТ-53 (cyrillic)
Yenot-1 (project name)
Izdeliye 238 (article index for SET-53)
Izdeliye 238U (article index for SET-53M)
Notable users
Soviet Union

Description

Introduction

The SET-53 is an early Cold War era heavyweight torpedo of Soviet origin. It is launched by both submarines and surface vessels in order to fight enemy submarines. The SET-53 was the first acoustic homing Soviet heavyweight torpedo for use against submarines.

Design

The SET-53 is a 533mm heavyweight torpedo. It is a further development of the SAET-50 design. Whereas the SAET-50 was a passive homing anti-shipping torpedo, the SET-53 is intended for the anti-submarine role. This required an extensive redesign in order to both search and travel underwater instead of at the horizontal level alone. Even with the warhead reduced in size this made the SET-53 longer, setting the standard length of Soviet torpedoes at about 7.8 meters for many decades to come.

Guidance

The SET-53 was the first Soviet passive acoustic homing torpedo for use against submarines. It uses a modified seeker from the SAET-50, which used a seeker that was a near direct copy of the one used on the Nazi German G7es Zaunkönig torpedo. The SET-53 can be used against submarines since the seeker can be used in both horizontal and vertical plane. The seeker starts about 30 to 40 seconds after launch and has a range of up to 600 m. Submarines need to travel at a certain speed to make enough noise for the homing system to be effective.

Firepower

The SET-53 has a 8 km range and a maximum speed of 23 knots. New battery technology significantly improved these parameters on the SET-53M, which a 14 km range in combination with a higher speed of 29 knots. The warhead weighs 100 kg, which may have been 150 kg on the earlier SET-53.

Launch platforms

The SET-53 is used both on submarines and surface vessels. Unlike NATO, where mostly lightweight torpedoes are used on surface vessels, many Soviet of the larger vessels are equipped with heavyweight torpedoes in the ASW role.

Users

The SET-53 and SET-53M were in widespread use in the Soviet navy, both on submarines and surface vessels. These torpedoes were also exported to various nations. The successor is the SET-65, which was introduced in the mid 1960's. Still the SET-53 remained in use for many decades.

Variants

SET-53M

Soviet SET-53M torpedo on display in a museum.
Source: www.bastion-karpenko.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

SET-53
First variant of the SET-53 torpedo. Introduced in 1958. Early variants had an older lead-acid battery with 6 km range. This was improved to about 8 km using a newer leac-acid battery design.
SET-53M
Modernized variant of the SET-53. Introduced in 1964. Main improvement is the use of silver-zinc battery and running gear with reduced noise. Has a much longer range and higher speed.
SET-53E
Export model of the SET-53, which differs in many aspects. Introduced in 1967 and therefore uses some improved components in combination with the older battery design. Also features a different acoustic seeker.
SET-53ME
Improved export model. Various sources describe it as either SET-53E (including different seeker) with SET-53M engine and battery design, or as export version of SET-53M that is nearly similar to SET-53M. First introduced in 1975.

Details

Facts SET-53 SET-53M
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavyweight torpedo
Launch platform
Submarines, surface vessels
Target platform
Submarines
Dimensions
Diameter
533 mm
Length
7.8 m
Weight
1.480 kg
Warhead
Type
150 kg (possibly 100 kg)
Fuse
Electromagnetic proximity fuse, 5 m radius
Guidance
Homing
Passive acoustic homing
Sensor range
400 - 600 m
Wire guidance
No
Propulsion
Power source
PM5-3MU electric motor
Battery type
T-7 lead-acid
Propulsion
Single propeller
Speed
23 kt
Range
7.5 to 8.0 km
Target depth
20 to 200 m
Launch depth
Up to 100 m

Media

Related articles

SET-65

The SET-65 is the successor to the SET-53. The SET-65 has a better sensor system and is a much faster torpedo with longer range.

Read more about SET-65

SET-40

The propulsion system designed for the SET-53M was used in modified form in the 400mm SET-40 lightweight torpedo.

Read more about SET-40