VA-111 Shkval

Design began in the 1960s when the NII-24 research institute was ordered to produce a new weapon capable of engaging nuclear submarines. The merger of the institute and GSKB-47 created the Research Institute of Applied Hydromechanics, who continued with the design and production of the Shkval.{{Cite news|url=https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13930901000631|title=Iranian Navy Test-Fires New Home-Made Torpedo|date=22 November 2014|agency=Fars News Agency|access-date=18 May 2015}}

Previously operational as early as 1977, the torpedo was announced as being deployed in the 1990s. The Shkval is intended as a countermeasure against torpedoes launched by undetected enemy submarines.

File:Shkval head.jpg

File:Shkval rear.jpg

The VA-111 is launched from {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} torpedo tubes at {{convert|50|kn|km/h+mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite news | url =https://eurasiantimes.com/designed-to-knock-down-us-super-carriers-watch-the-russian-sea-monster-that-remains-the-biggest-threat-to-us-navy/ | title = Designed to knock down US super carriers watch the Russian sea monster that remains the biggest threat to US Navy | website = Eurasian Times | access-date = 30 May 2021}} A solid-fuel rocket accelerates it to cavitation speed, with a combined-cycle gas turbine in the nose creating the required gas bubble.{{sfn|Garanin|2009|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=-Y2TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA216 216]}} Once accelerated, speed is maintained by an underwater ramjet fueled by hydroreactive metals using seawater as both reactant and the source of oxidizer; the torpedo travels at around {{convert|200|kn|km/h+mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurethe-allure-of-supercavitating-torpedoes-5838643/|title=The allure of supercavitating torpedoes|work=Naval Technology|date=19 June 2017|access-date=2019-12-31}}{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2017/january-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/4791-russia-developing-khishchnik-high-speed-torpedo-to-replace-va-111-shkval-supercavitating-torpedo.html|title=Russia developing Khishchnik high-speed torpedo to replace VA-111 Shkval supercavitating torpedo|work=Navy Recognition|date=16 January 2017|access-date=2019-12-31}}

Some reports indicate that the VA-111 possibly exceeds speeds of {{convert|250|kn|km/h+mph|abbr=on}}, and that work on a {{convert|300|kn|km/h+mph|abbr=on}} version was underway.{{sfn|Polmar|2004|p=304}}{{sfn|Baker|2000|p=581}}

The high speed is made possible by supercavitation, whereby a gas bubble surrounding the torpedo is created by outward deflection of water by its specially-shaped nose cone and the expansion of gases from its engine and the gas generator in the nose. This minimizes water contact with the torpedo, significantly reducing drag.

Early designs may have relied solely on an inertial guidance system.{{cite web|title=КТРВ на МАКСе-2009 представит новую продукцию|url=http://www.aviaport.ru/digest/2009/07/27/177857.html|work=AviaPort.Ru |date=27 July 2009|access-date=2019-12-31|language=ru}}{{cite web|last=Shakhidzhanov|first=Ye. S.|title=Подводные ракеты|url=http://flot.com/science/sor8.htm|work=Flot.com|access-date=2019-12-31|language=ru}} The initial design was intended for nuclear warhead delivery. Later designs reportedly include terminal guidance and conventional warheads.{{sfn|Polmar|2004|p=304}}

The torpedo steers using four fins that skim the inner surface of the supercavitation gas bubble. To change direction, the fin(s) on the inside of the desired turn are extended, and the opposing fins are retracted.

In 2016, KTRV was upgrading Shkval.{{cite web |url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4294 |title=Russia's Tactical Missiles Corporation Upgrading VA-111 Shkval Supercavitating Torpedo|work=Navy Recognition |date=22 August 2016|access-date=2019-12-31}}

The torpedo is manufactured in Kyrgyzstan by the "Dastan" state-owned factory. In 2012 the Russian government asked for a 75% ownership of the factory in exchange for writing off $180 million Kyrgyz debt to Russia.{{Cite web |date=2012-03-22 |title=Russian-Kyrgyz relations are deteriorating rapidly |url=https://tass.com/russianpress/672145 |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=TASS |quote=The new apple of discord became the Dastan torpedo producing plant, which Moscow is seeking to control. The newspaper noted that Russia […] demands 75% of assets instead of 48% in a swap for writing off 180 million dollars of debt.}}

In 2000, former U.S. Naval intelligence officer and an alleged Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) spy Edmond Pope (Captain, USN, retired) was held, tried, and convicted in Russia of espionage related to information he obtained about the Shkval weapon system. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Pope in December 2000 on humanitarian grounds because he had bone cancer.{{cite news|last=Tavernise|first=Sabrina |author-link=Sabrina Tavernise|title=American Jailed as Spy in Moscow Is Freed on Putin's Orders; U.S. Welcomes Gesture|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 December 2000|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/15/world/american-jailed-as-spy-in-moscow-is-freed-on-putin-s-orders-us-welcomes-gesture.html|access-date=2019-12-31}}{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Dean E. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/15/world/moscow-spy-case-is-still-a-mystery.html|title=Moscow 'Spy' Case Is Still a Mystery|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 January 2001|access-date=2019-12-31}}

• {{IRN}}
• Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
• {{RUS}} (possibly)
• Russian Navy (possibly)
• {{VIE}} (possibly)
• Vietnam People's Navy (possibly equipped with Kilo-class submarines, it is suspected that Vietnam owns this type of torpedo in its inventory due to a picture showing a part of VA-111 and Vietnamese labels){{Cite web|last=VnExpress|title=Sức mạnh 6 tàu ngầm Kilo của Việt Nam - VnExpress|url=https://vnexpress.net/interactive/2017/suc-manh-6-tau-ngam-kilo-viet-nam|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Tin nhanh VnExpress|language=vi}}{{Cite web|last=Acomm(http://www.acomm.com.vn)|first=Copyright(c) 2019|title=Khai mạc Triển lãm quốc tế và Hội nghị khoa học lần thứ 5 về điều kiển và tự động hóa {{!}} Tạp chí Tuyên giáo|url=https://tuyengiao.vn/khoa-giao/khoa-hoc/khai-mac-trien-lam-quoc-te-va-hoi-nghi-khoa-hoc-lan-thu-5-ve-dieu-kien-va-tu-dong-hoa-124086|access-date=2021-11-05|website=tuyengiao.vn|language=vi}}

There are at least three variants:

• VA-111 Shkval – Original variant; GOLIS autonomous inertial guidance.
• "Shkval 2" – Current variant; believed to have additional guidance systems, possibly via the use of vectored thrust, and with a much longer range.
• A less capable version currently being exported to foreign naval forces. The export version is referred to as "Shkval-E".
• Iran claimed it has created a version named Hoot.

All current versions are believed to be fitted only with conventional explosive warheads, although the original design used a nuclear warhead.

• Length: {{convert|8.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
• Diameter: {{convert|532|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
• Weight: {{convert|2700|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
• Warhead weight: {{convert|210|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
• Speed
• Launch speed: {{convert|50|kn}}
• Maximum speed: {{convert|200|kn}} or greater
• Range: Around {{convert|11|-|15|km|abbr=on}} (new version). Older versions only {{convert|7|km|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTRussian_post-WWII.htm |title=Post-World War II Torpedoes of Russia/USSR |work=NavWeaps |access-date=2019-12-31}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Polmar |first=Norman | title=Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines |year=2004 |location=Dulles |publisher=Potomac Books | isbn=978-1-57488-594-1 }}
• {{cite book |last=Garanin |first=I. V. |editor-last=Favorsky|editor-first=Oleg N. |chapter=The Hydro-Reacting Marine Solid Fuel Rocket Engines |title=Thermal to Mechanical Energy Conversion :Engines and Requirements |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-Y2TCwAAQBAJ |volume=II |year=2009|location=Oxford, United Kingdom|publisher=EOLSS Publications|pages=201–238|isbn=978-1-84826-022-1 }}
• {{cite book |editor-last=Baker |editor-first=A. D. III |title=Combat Fleets of the World 2000–2001: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems|year=2000 |location=Annapolis, Maryland|publisher=Naval Institute Press }}

{{Commons category|VA-111 Shkval}}

• [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/shkval.htm FAS page on the VA-111 Shkval underwater rocket] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828045506/http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/shkval.htm |date=2016-08-28 }}
• {{cite journal | last = Ashley | first = Steven | title = Warp Drive Underwater | journal = Scientific American | volume = 284 | issue = 5 | pages = 70–79 | date = May 2001 | bibcode = 2001SciAm.284e..70A | doi = 10.1038/scientificamerican0501-70 }}
• {{cite news| last = Tyler | first = Patrick E. |author-link=Patrick Tyler | title = Behind Spy Trial in Moscow: A Superfast Torpedo |work= The New York Times | date = 1 December 2000 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/01/world/behind-spy-trial-in-moscow-a-superfast-torpedo.html}}

Category:Dagdizel Plant products

Category:Supercavitating torpedoes

Category:Torpedoes of the Soviet Union

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1977