Palmistry 

Underwater mines of the Second World War. Horned Death is one of the main asymmetric threats. New threats - new challenges

Naval munitions included such weapons as torpedoes, naval mines, and depth charges. A distinctive feature of these ammunition is the environment of their use, i.e. hitting targets on or under water. Like most other ammunition, marine ammunition is divided into main (for hitting targets), special (for lighting, smoke, etc.) and auxiliary (training, blank, for special tests).

Torpedo- a self-propelled underwater weapon, consisting of a cylindrical streamlined body with plumage and propellers. The warhead of the torpedo contains an explosive charge, a detonator, fuel, an engine and control devices. The most common torpedo caliber (hull diameter in its widest part) is 533 mm, samples from 254 to 660 mm are known. Average length - about 7 m, weight - about 2 tons, explosive charge - 200-400 kg. They are in service with surface (torpedo boats, patrol boats, destroyers, etc.) and submarines and torpedo bombers.

Torpedoes were classified as follows:

- by type of engine: combined-cycle (liquid fuel burns in compressed air (oxygen) with the addition of water, and the resulting mixture rotates a turbine or drives a piston engine); powder (gases from slowly burning gunpowder rotate the engine shaft or turbine); electrical.

— according to the method of guidance: unmanaged; rectilinear (with a magnetic compass or a gyroscopic semi-compass); maneuvering according to a given program (circulating); homing passive (according to noise or changes in the properties of water in the wake).

- by appointment: anti-ship; universal; anti-submarine.

The first samples of torpedoes (Whitehead torpedoes) were used by the British in 1877. And already during the First World War, combined-cycle torpedoes were used by the warring parties not only in the sea, but also on rivers. The caliber and dimensions of torpedoes tended to grow steadily as they developed. During the First World War, 450 mm and 533 mm caliber torpedoes were standard. Already in 1924, a 550-mm steam-gas torpedo "1924V" was created in France, which became the firstborn of a new generation of this type of weapon. The British and Japanese went even further, designing 609-mm oxygen torpedoes for large ships. Of these, the most famous Japanese type "93". Several models of this torpedo were developed, and on modification “93”, model 2, the charge mass at the expense of range and speed was increased to 780 kg.

The main "combat" characteristic of a torpedo - the charge of explosives - usually not only increased quantitatively, but also improved qualitatively. Already in 1908, instead of pyroxylin, a more powerful TNT (trinitrotoluene, TNT) began to spread. In 1943, in the USA, a new Torpex explosive was created specifically for torpedoes, twice as strong as TNT. Similar work was carried out in the USSR. In general, only during the years of the Second World War, the power of torpedo weapons in terms of TNT coefficient doubled.

One of the disadvantages of steam-gas torpedoes was the presence of a trace (bubbles of exhaust gas) on the surface of the water, unmasking the torpedo and creating an opportunity for the attacked ship to evade it and determine the location of the attackers. To eliminate this, it was supposed to equip the torpedo with an electric motor. However, before the outbreak of World War II, only Germany succeeded. In 1939, the G7e electric torpedo was adopted by the Kriegsmarine. In 1942, Great Britain copied it, but was able to establish production only after the end of the war. In 1943, the electric torpedo "ET-80" was put into service in the USSR. At the same time, only 16 torpedoes were used until the end of the war.

To ensure the explosion of a torpedo under the bottom of the ship, which caused 2-3 times more damage than an explosion at its side, Germany, the USSR and the USA developed magnetic fuses instead of contact fuses. The German TZ-2 fuses, which were put into service in the second half of the war, achieved the greatest efficiency.

During the war, Germany developed devices for maneuvering and guiding torpedoes. So torpedoes equipped with the "FaT" system during the search for a target could move "snake" across the course of the ship, which significantly increased the chances of hitting the target. Most often they were used towards the pursuing escort ship. Torpedoes with the LuT device, produced since the spring of 1944, made it possible to attack an enemy ship from any position. Such torpedoes could not only move like a snake, but also turn around to continue searching for a target. During the war, German submariners fired about 70 LuT-equipped torpedoes.

In 1943, the T-IV torpedo with acoustic homing (ASN) was created in Germany. The torpedo homing head, consisting of two spaced hydrophones, captured the target in the 30 ° sector. The capture range depended on the noise level of the target ship; usually it was 300-450 m. The torpedo was created mainly for submarines, but during the war it was also used by torpedo boats. In 1944, the modification "T-V" was released, and then "T-Va" for "schnellboats" with a cruising range of 8000 m at a speed of 23 knots. However, the effectiveness of acoustic torpedoes was low. The overly complex guidance system (and it included 11 lamps, 26 relays, 1760 contacts) was extremely unreliable - out of 640 torpedoes fired during the war years, only 58 hit the target. The percentage of hits by conventional torpedoes in the German fleet was three times higher.

However, the Japanese oxygen torpedoes had the most powerful, fastest and longest range. Neither allies nor adversaries were able to achieve even close results.

Since torpedoes equipped with the maneuvering and guidance devices described above were not available in other countries, and in Germany there were only 50 submarines capable of launching them, a combination of special ship or aircraft maneuvers was used to launch torpedoes to hit the target. Their totality was determined by the concept of a torpedo attack.

A torpedo attack can be carried out: from a submarine against enemy submarines, surface ships and ships; surface ships against surface and underwater targets, as well as coastal torpedo launchers. The elements of a torpedo attack are: assessing the position relative to the detected enemy, identifying the main target and its protection, determining the possibility and method of a torpedo attack, approaching the target and determining the elements of its movement, choosing and taking a position for firing, firing torpedoes. The completion of a torpedo attack is torpedo firing. It consists in the following: the firing data is calculated, then they are entered into the torpedo; the ship performing torpedo firing takes up a calculated position and fires a volley.

Torpedo firing can be combat and practical (training). According to the method of execution, they are divided into volley, aimed, single torpedo, by area, successive shots.

Volley fire consists of simultaneous launching of two or more torpedoes from torpedo tubes to provide an increased probability of hitting the target.

Aimed shooting is carried out in the presence of an accurate knowledge of the elements of the movement of the target and the distance to it. It can be carried out by single torpedo shots or salvo fire.

When torpedo firing at an area, torpedoes overlap the probable target area. This type of shooting is used to cover errors in determining the elements of target movement and distance. Distinguish between shooting with a sector and with a parallel course of torpedoes. Torpedo firing at the area is carried out in one gulp or at time intervals.

By torpedo firing by successive shots is meant firing, in which torpedoes are fired sequentially one after another at specified time intervals to cover errors in determining the elements of target movement and distance to it.

When firing at a stationary target, the torpedo is fired in the direction of the target; when firing at a moving target, it is fired at an angle to the direction of the target in the direction of its movement (preemptively). The lead angle is determined taking into account the heading angle of the target, the speed of movement, and the path of the ship and torpedo until they meet at the lead point. The firing distance is limited by the maximum range of the torpedo.

In World War II, about 40 thousand torpedoes were used by submarines, aircraft and surface ships. In the USSR, out of 17.9 thousand torpedoes, 4.9 thousand were used, which sank or damaged 1004 ships. Of the 70,000 torpedoes fired in Germany, the submarines used up about 10,000 torpedoes. US submarines used 14.7 thousand torpedoes, and torpedo-carrying aircraft 4.9 thousand. About 33% of the torpedoes fired hit the target. Of all the sunken ships and vessels during the Second World War, 67% were torpedoes.

naval mines- Munitions hidden in the water and designed to destroy enemy submarines, ships and ships, as well as to make it difficult for them to navigate. The main properties of a sea mine: constant and long-term combat readiness, surprise of combat impact, the complexity of clearing mines. Mines could be installed in enemy waters and off their coast. A sea mine is an explosive charge enclosed in a waterproof case, which also contains instruments and devices that cause the mine to explode and ensure the safe handling of it.

The first successful use of a sea mine took place in 1855 in the Baltic during the Crimean War. The ships of the Anglo-French squadron were blown up on galvanic impact mines, exposed by Russian miners in the Gulf of Finland. These mines were installed under the surface of the water on a cable with an anchor. Later, shock mines with mechanical fuses began to be used. Naval mines were widely used during the Russo-Japanese War. In the First World War, 310 thousand sea mines were installed, from which about 400 ships sank, including 9 battleships. In World War II, non-contact mines appeared (mainly magnetic, acoustic and magneto-acoustic). In the design of non-contact mines, urgency and multiplicity devices, new anti-sweep devices were introduced.

Sea mines were installed both by surface ships (minelayers) and from submarines (through torpedo tubes, from special internal compartments / containers, from external trailer containers), or were dropped by aircraft (as a rule, into the waters into the enemy). Antiamphibious mines could be installed from the shore at shallow depths.

Sea mines were subdivided according to the type of installation, according to the principle of operation of the fuse, according to the multiplicity, according to controllability, according to selectivity; by media type

According to the type of installation, there are:

- anchor - a hull with positive buoyancy is held at a given depth under water at anchor with the help of a minrep;

- bottom - are installed on the bottom of the sea;

- floating - drifting with the flow, holding under water at a given depth;

- pop-up - anchored, and when triggered, they release it and pop up vertically: freely or with the help of an engine;

- homing - electric torpedoes held under water by an anchor or lying on the bottom.

According to the principle of operation of the fuse, there are:

- contact - exploding in direct contact with the ship's hull;

- galvanic shock - are triggered when the ship hits a cap protruding from the mine body, in which there is a glass ampoule with an electrolyte of a galvanic cell;

- antenna - are triggered by the contact of the ship's hull with a metal cable antenna (used, as a rule, to destroy submarines);

- non-contact - triggered when the ship passes at a certain distance from the influence of its magnetic field, or acoustic impact, etc. Including non-contact subdivided into: magnetic (react to magnetic fields of the target), acoustic (react to acoustic fields), hydrodynamic (react to dynamic change in hydraulic pressure from the target’s stroke), induction (they respond to a change in the ship’s magnetic field strength (the fuse only fires under a ship with a course), combined (combining different types of fuses). To make it difficult to deal with non-contact mines, urgency devices were included in the fuse circuit, delaying bringing the mine into a combat position for any required period, multiplicity devices that ensure the explosion of the mine only after a given number of impacts on the fuse, and trap devices that cause the mine to explode when trying to disarm it.

According to the multiplicity of mines, there are: non-multiple (triggered when the target is first detected), multiple (triggered after a given number of detections).

By controllability, they are distinguished: uncontrolled and controlled from the shore by wire or from a passing ship (as a rule, acoustically).

By selectivity, mines were divided into: conventional (hit any detected targets) and selective (capable of recognizing and hitting targets of given characteristics).

Depending on their carriers, mines are divided into ship mines (thrown from the deck of ships), boat mines (fired from submarine torpedo tubes) and aviation mines (thrown from aircraft).

When setting sea mines, there were special methods for their installation. So under mine can a minefield element was implied, consisting of several mines, set in a heap. It is determined by the coordinates (point) of the setting. 2, 3 and 4 mine banks are typical. Larger banks are rarely used. It is typical for setting by submarines or surface ships. mine line- an element of a minefield, consisting of several mines, set linearly. Defined by the coordinates (point) of the start and the direction. It is typical for setting by submarines or surface ships. Mine strip- an element of a minefield, consisting of several mines, set randomly from a moving carrier. Unlike mine cans and lines, it is characterized not by coordinates, but by width and direction. It is typical for setting by aircraft, where it is impossible to predict the point where the mine will fall. The combination of mine cans, mine lines, mine strips and individual mines creates a minefield in the area.

Naval mines during the Second World War were one of the most effective types of weapons. The cost of producing and placing a mine ranged from 0.5 to 10 per cent of the cost of clearing or removing it. Mines could be used both as an offensive (mining the enemy's fairways) and as a defensive weapon (mining their own fairways and installing anti-amphibious mining). They were also used as a psychological weapon - the very fact of the presence of mines in the navigation area already caused damage to the enemy, forcing them to bypass the area or carry out long-term expensive demining.

During the Second World War, more than 600 thousand mines were installed. Of these, 48,000 were dropped by Great Britain in enemy waters, and 20,000 were recovered from ships and submarines. 170,000 mines were laid by Britain to protect their waters. Japanese aircraft dropped 25,000 mines in foreign waters. Of the 49,000 mines installed, the United States dropped 12,000 aircraft mines off the coast of Japan alone. Germany put up 28.1 thousand mines in the Baltic Sea, the USSR and Finland - 11.8 thousand mines each, Sweden - 4.5 thousand. During the war, Italy produced 54.5 thousand mines.

The Gulf of Finland was the most densely mined during the war, in which the warring parties installed more than 60 thousand mines. It took almost 4 years to neutralize them.

Depth charge- one of the types of weapons of the Navy, designed to combat submerged submarines. It was a projectile with a strong explosive enclosed in a metal case of a cylindrical, spherical, drop-shaped or other shape. The explosion of a depth charge destroys the hull of the submarine and leads to its destruction or damage. The explosion is caused by a fuse that can be triggered: when a bomb hits the hull of a submarine; at a given depth; when the bomb passes at a distance from the submarine not exceeding the range of the proximity fuse. The stable position of a depth bomb of a spherical and drop-shaped shape when moving on a trajectory is attached to the tail - stabilizer. Depth charges were subdivided into aircraft and ship; the latter are used by launching reactive depth charges from launchers, firing from single-barreled or multi-barreled bombers and dropping from aft bomb releasers.

The first sample of a depth bomb was created in 1914 and, after testing, entered service with the British Navy. Depth charges were widely used in the First World War and remained the most important type of anti-submarine weapons in the Second.

The principle of operation of a depth charge is based on the practical incompressibility of water. A bomb explosion destroys or damages the hull of a submarine at depth. At the same time, the energy of the explosion, instantly increasing to a maximum in the center, is transferred to the target by the surrounding water masses, through them destructively affecting the attacked military object. Due to the high density of the medium, the blast wave does not significantly lose its initial power on its way, but with an increase in the distance to the target, the energy is distributed over a large area, and, accordingly, the radius of destruction is limited. Depth charges are notable for their low accuracy - sometimes it took about a hundred bombs to destroy a submarine.

A sea mine is a munition that is hidden in the water. It is intended for damage to the enemy's water transport or obstruction of his movement. Such military products are actively used in offensive and defensive operations. After installation, they remain on alert for a long period, the explosion occurs suddenly, and it is quite difficult to neutralize them. A sea mine is a charge of explosive materials, completed in a waterproof case. Inside the structure there are also special devices that allow you to safely handle ammunition and explode it if necessary.

History of creation

The earliest references to sea mines are recorded in the records of the Ming officer Jiao Yu in the 14th century. In the history of China, such exploitation of explosives is also mentioned in the 16th century, when there were clashes with Japanese robbers. The ammunition was placed in a wooden container, protected from moisture with putty. Several mines drifting in the sea with a planned break were laid by General Qi Jiugang. Subsequently, the explosive activation mechanism was activated using a long cord.

The project for the use of the marine world was developed by Rubbards and presented to Queen Elizabeth of England. In Holland, the creation of a weapon called "floating firecrackers" also took place. In practice, such a weapon turned out to be unusable.

A full-fledged sea mine was invented by the American Bushnel. Used it against Britain in the war for the independence of the peoples. The ammunition was a sealed barrel of gunpowder. The mine drifted towards the enemy, bursting upon contact with the ship.

The electronic mine fuse was developed in 1812. This innovation was created by the Russian engineer Schilling. Later, Jacobi discovered an anchor mine capable of being in a floating state. The latter, in the amount of more than one and a half thousand pieces, were placed in the Gulf of Finland by the Russian military during the Crimean War.

According to the official statistics of the Russian Navy, 1855 is considered the first successful use of a sea mine. Ammunition was actively used during the Crimean and Russian-Japanese military events. In the First World War, with their help, about four hundred ships were sunk, of which nine were ships of the line.

Varieties of naval mines

Naval mines can be classified according to several different parameters.

According to the type of installation of ammunition are distinguished:

  • Anchors are attached at the right height by a special mechanism;
  • Bottom sinks to the seabed;
  • Floaters drift on the surface;
  • Floating are held by an anchor, but when turned on, they rise vertically from the water;
  • Homing or electric torpedoes are held in place by an anchor or lying on the bottom.

According to the method of explosion, they are divided into:

  • Contacts are activated upon contact with the body;
  • Galvanic shock react to pressing on the protruding cap, where the electrolyte is located;
  • Antennas explode when they collide with a special cable antenna;
  • Contactless operate when the vessel approaches a certain distance;
  • Magnetic ones respond to the ship's magnetic field;
  • Acoustic interact with the acoustic field;
  • Hydrodynamic ones explode when the pressure changes from the course of the ship;
  • Induction are activated when the magnetic field fluctuates, that is, they explode exclusively under the going galleons;
  • Combined combine different types.

Also, sea mines will help to differ in multiplicity, controllability, selectivity and type of charge. Ammunition is constantly improving in power. Newer types of proximity fuses are being created.

carriers

Naval mines are delivered to the site by surface vessels or submarines. In some cases, ammunition is dropped into the water with the help of aircraft. Sometimes they are located from the shore when it is required to carry out an explosion at a shallow depth while countering the landing.

Naval mines during World War II

In certain years, among the naval forces, mines were "weapons of the weak" and were not popular. This type of armament did not pay much attention to major maritime powers such as England, Japan and the United States. In the First World War, the attitude towards weapons changed dramatically, then, according to estimates, approximately 310,000 mines were delivered.

During the Second World War, naval "explosives" were widely used. Nazi Germany actively used mines, only about 20 thousand units were delivered to the Gulf of Finland.

During the war, weapons were constantly improved. Everyone tried to increase its effectiveness in battle. It was then that magnetic, acoustic and combined sea mines were born. The use of this type of weaponry, not only from the water, but also from aviation, expanded their potential. Ports, military naval bases, navigable rivers and other water bodies were under threat.

The naval mines suffered heavy damage in all directions. Approximately a tenth of the transport units were destroyed using this type of weapon.

In the neutral parts of the Baltic Sea at the time of the outbreak of hostilities, about 1120 mines were laid. And the characteristic features of the area only contributed to the effective use of ammunition.

One of the most famous German mines was the Luftwaffe Mine B, delivered to its destination by aircraft. The LMB was the most popular of all naval bottom proximity mines collected in Germany. Its success has become so significant that it was accepted into service when installed from ships. The mine was called Horned Death or Magnetic Death.

Modern naval mines

The M-26 is recognized as the most powerful of domestic mines created in pre-war times. Its charge is 250 kg. This is an anchor "explosive" with a shock-mechanical type of activation. Due to the significant amount of charge, the shape of the ammunition was changed from spherical to spherical. Its advantage was that at anchor it was located horizontally and it was easier to transport it.

Another achievement of our compatriots in the field of military armament of ships was the KB galvanic shock mine, used as an anti-submarine weapon. For the first time, cast-iron fuse caps were used in it, which automatically left their place when immersed in water. In 1941, a sinking valve was added to the mine, allowing it to sink to the bottom on its own when detached from the anchor.

In the postwar period, domestic scientists resumed the race for leadership. In 1957, the only self-propelled underwater missile was launched. She became a reactive pop-up mine KRM. This was the impetus for the development of a radically new type of weapon. The KRM device made a complete revolution in the production of domestic naval weapons.

In 1960, the USSR began to implement advanced mine systems, consisting of mine-rockets and torpedoes. After 10 years, the Navy began to actively use anti-submarine mine-rockets PMR-1 and PMR-2, which have no analogues abroad.

The next breakthrough can be called the MPT-1 torpedo mine, which has a two-channel target search and recognition system. Its development lasted nine years.

All available data and testing has become a good platform for the formation of more advanced forms of weapons. In 1981, the first Russian universal anti-submarine torpedo mine was completed. She slightly lagged behind the parameters of the American design Captor, while ahead of her in the depths of installation.

UDM-2, entered into supply in 78, was used to damage surface and submarine ships of all types. The mine was universal from all sides, from installation to self-destruction on land and in shallow water.

On land, mines did not acquire special tactical significance, and remained an additional type of weapon. Naval mines have received a perfect role. Only when they appeared, they became a strategic weapon, often displacing other species into the background. This is due to the price for the battle of each individual ship. The number of ships in the navy is determined and the loss of even one galleon can change the situation in favor of the enemy. Each ship has a strong combat power and a significant crew. The explosion of one naval mine under a ship can play a huge role in the course of the entire war, which is incomparable with the many explosions on land.

Mine weapons were the first to be used at the dawn of the appearance of submarines. Over time, it gave way to torpedoes and missiles, but has not lost its relevance to this day. On modern submarines, the following types of mines have been adopted:
- anchor
- bottom
- pop-up
- torpedo mines
- rocket mines

Anchor mine PM-1 is designed to destroy submarines. It is placed from 533-mm torpedo tubes (2 each) at depths up to 400 m, deepening mines 10-25 m. Explosive weight - 230 kg, acoustic fuse response radius 15-20 m. , adopted in 1965, are the same, but it can hit submarines and surface ships at depths up to 900 m.
Sea bottom mine MDM-6 is designed to combat surface ships and submarines. It is equipped with a 3-channel proximity fuse with acoustic, electromagnetic and hydrodynamic channels and devices for urgency, multiplicity, elimination. Caliber - 533 mm. Setting depth up to 120 m.

The MDS self-transporting bottom mine is also designed to destroy surface ships and submarines. Positioning occurs by firing a mine from a 533-mm submarine torpedo tube, after which it continues to independently move to the place of laying with the help of a carrier torpedo. The mine is detonated after the target approaches a distance sufficient to trigger a proximity fuse. Dangerous zone - up to 50 m. Can be placed in ocean, sea and coastal areas, the minimum setting depth is 8 m.

Anchor non-contact reactive-floating mine RM-2 is designed to destroy surface ships and submarines. It is used from 533-mm submarine torpedo tubes. The mine consists of a hull and an anchor. A jet solid propellant engine is attached to the body. Movement in the direction of the target begins after the proximity fuse is triggered by the influence of the physical fields of the target ship. There is also a contact fuse.

The PMT-1 anti-submarine torpedo mine was put into service in 1972. It is a combination of an anchor mine and a small-sized MGT-1 torpedo of 406 mm caliber. It is installed from 533-mm submarine torpedo tubes. Anchor anti-submarine mine-rocket PMR-2 is a combination of an anchor mine with an underwater missile. Consists of a launch container, a rocket and an anchor. The movement of the missile to the target begins after the detection system is triggered, caused by the impact of the physical fields of the submarine. The target is hit by detonating the rocket charge with a contact or proximity fuse.

Marine shelf mine MSHM is designed to combat submarines and surface ships in coastal areas. It is a combination of a bottom mine with an underwater missile. Mounted on the ground in a vertical position. The acoustic equipment of the mine provides target detection. An underwater missile launched from the MSHM hull is equipped with non-contact acoustic equipment, which makes it possible to effectively hit the target. Caliber - 533 mm.

Steam-gas torpedo "G-7a" was used by destroyers and submarines. It was produced in three modifications: "TI" (since 1938 straight-line), "TI Fat-I" (since 1942 with a maneuvering device) and "TI Lut-I / II" (since 1944 with a modernized maneuvering and guidance device). The torpedo was propelled by its own engine and kept a given course with the help of an autonomous guidance system. Servo motors responded to the commands of the gyroscope and depth sensor, keeping the torpedo in programmed modes. She had a steel case, two propellers rotating in antiphase. The contact detonator became in a combat position at a distance of at least 30 m from the boat. Since the torpedo had a bubble trail, it was more often used at night. TTX torpedoes: caliber - 533 mm; length 7186 mm; weight - 1538 kg; explosive mass - 280 kg; cruising range - 5500/7500/12500 m; speed - 30/40/44 knots.

The torpedo was in service with submarines. It was produced in five modifications: "T-II" (since 1939 straight-travel), "T-III" (since 1942 straight-travel), "T-III-Fat" (since 1943 with a maneuvering device), " T-IIIa Fat-II "(since 1943 with a maneuvering and guidance device)," T-IIIa Lut-I / II "(since 1944 with a modernized maneuvering and guidance device). The torpedo had a contact fuse, two propellers. In total, about 7 thousand torpedoes were fired. TTX torpedoes: caliber - 533 mm; length - 7186 mm; weight - 1603-1760 kg; weight - explosive - 280 kg; battery weight - 665 kg; speed - 24-30 knots; cruising range - 3000/5000/5700/7500 m; engine power - 100 hp

The self-guided acoustic (to the noise of the ship) torpedo "T-IV Falke" was put into service in 1943. It had a birotational (without gearbox) electric motor, two two-blade propellers, horizontal and vertical control rudders, and was powered by a battery of lead-acid batteries. Having passed 400 meters after the launch, the homing equipment was turned on and two hydrophones located in the flat bow listened to the acoustic noises of ships sailing in the convoy. Due to its low speed, it was used to destroy merchant ships moving at speeds up to 13 knots. A total of 560 torpedoes were fired. TTX torpedoes "T-IV": caliber - 533 mm; length - 7186 m; weight - 1937 kg; explosive mass - 274 kg; speed - 20 knots; cruising range - 7000 m; launch range - 2-3 km; battery voltage - 104 V, current - 700 A; engine operating time - 17 m. By the end of the year, the torpedo was modernized and produced in 1944 under the designation "T-V Zaunkonig". It was used to destroy escort ships guarding convoys and moving at a speed of 10-18 knots. The torpedo had a significant drawback - it could take the boat itself as a target. Although the homing device was activated after a passage of 400 m, the standard practice after launching a torpedo was to immediately submerge the submarine to a depth of at least 60 m. A total of 80 torpedoes were fired. TTX torpedoes "T-V": caliber - 533 mm; length - 7200 m; weight - 1600 kg; explosive mass - 274 kg; speed - 24.5 knots; battery voltage - 106 V, current - 720 A; power - 75 - 56 kW.

A man-operated transporter for covert delivery and launch of torpedoes was put into service in 1944. In fact, the Marder was a mini-submarine and could travel up to 50 miles without a torpedo. The design consisted of two 533-mm torpedoes - an elongated carrier torpedo and a standard combat torpedo suspended under it on the yokes. The carrier had a driver's cabin protected by a cap in the head section. A 30-liter ballast tank was installed in the bow of the transport torpedo. To launch a torpedo, it was necessary to surface, orient the bow of the apparatus through a sighting device to the target. A total of 300 units were produced. TTX torpedoes: surface displacement - 3.5 tons; length - 8.3 m; width - 0.5 m; draft - 1.3 m; surface speed - 4.2 knots, underwater speed - 3.3 knots; immersion depth - 10 m; cruising range - 35 miles; electric motor power - 12 hp (8.8 kW); crew - 1 person.

A series of aviation torpedoes of the Lufttorpedo type was produced in 10 main modifications. They differed in size, mass guidance systems and types of fuses. All of them, except for the LT.350, had paragas engines with a power of 140-170 hp, which developed a speed of 24-43 knots and could hit a target at a distance of 2.8-7.5 km. The reset was carried out at speeds up to 340 km / h in a non-parachute form. In 1942, under the brand name "LT.350", an Italian 500 mm parachute electric circulating torpedo was adopted, designed to destroy ships in roads and anchorages. The torpedo had the ability to pass up to 15,000 m at a speed of 13.5 to 3.9 knots. The LT.1500 torpedo was equipped with a rocket engine. TTX torpedoes are set out in the table.

TTX and type of torpedo Length (mm) Diameter (mm) Weight (kg) Mass of explosives (kg)
LT.F-5/ LT-5a 4 960 450 685 200
F5B/LT I 5 150 450 750 200
F5В* 5 155 450 812 200
F5W 5 200 450 860 170
F5W* 5 460 450 869-905 200
LT.F-5u 5 160 450 752 200
LT.F-5i 5 250 450 885 175
LT.350 2 600 500 350 120
LT.850 5 275 450 935 150
LT.1500 7 050 533 1520 682

The torpedo has been produced since 1943 by Blohm und Voss. It was a glider with a LT-950-C torpedo mounted on it. The carrier of the torpedo was the He.111 aircraft. When the torpedo approached at a distance of 10 meters to the surface of the water, a sensor was triggered, which gave the command to separate the airframe using small explosives. After diving, the torpedo followed under water to the chosen target. A total of 270 torpedoes were fired. TTX torpedoes: length - 5150 mm; diameter - 450 mm; weight - 970 kg; explosive weight - 200 kg; drop height - 2500 m, maximum range of use - 9000 m.

A series of aviation torpedoes of the Bombentorpedo type has been produced since 1943 and consisted of seven modifications: VT-200, VT-400, VT-700A, VT-700V, VT-1000, VT-1400 and VT-1850. The performance characteristics of torpedoes are set out in table.

TTX and type of torpedo Length (mm) Diameter (mm) Weight (kg) Mass of explosives (kg)
VT-200 2 395 300 220 100
VT-400 2 946 378 435 200
VT-700A 3 500 426 780 330
VT-700V 3 358 456 755 320
VT-1000 4 240 480 1 180 710
VT-1400 4 560 620 1 510 920
VT-1850 4 690 620 1 923 1 050

Germany produced four types of magnetic mines of the RM type: RMA (produced since 1939, weight 800 kg), RMB (produced since 1939, charge weight 460 kg.), RMD (produced since 1944, simplified design, charge weight 460 kg.), RMH (produced since 1944, with a wooden case, weight 770 kg.).

A mine with an aluminum case was put into service in 1942. It was equipped with a maknetoacoustic fuse. It could only be installed from surface ships. TTX mines: length - 2150 mm, diameter - 1333 mm; weight - 1600 kg; explosive mass - 350 kg; installation depth - 400-600 m.

The series of torpedo mines of the TM type included the following mines: TMA (produced since 1935, length - 3380 mm, diameter 533 mm, explosive weight - 215 kg), TMV (produced since 1939, length - 2300 mm, diameter - 533 mm ; weight - 740 kg; weight of explosives - 420-580 kg.), TMB / S (produced since 1940, weight of explosives - 420-560 kg.), TMS (produced since 1940 .. length - 3390 mm; diameter - 533 mm; weight - 1896 kg; explosive weight - 860-930 kg.). A feature of these mines was the possibility of their exposure through the torpedo tubes of submarines. As a rule, two or three mines were placed in the torpedo tube, depending on the size. Mines were exposed at a depth of 22 to 270 m. They were equipped with magnetic or acoustic fuses.

Aviation naval mines of the BM (Bombenminen) series were produced in five versions: BM 1000-I, BM 1000-II, BM 1000-H, BM 1000-M and Wasserballoon. They were built according to the principle high-explosive bomb. Basically, all series of VM mines had the same device, with the exception of minor differences such as the size of the nodes, the size of the suspension yoke, the size of the hatches. Three main types of explosive devices were used in the mines: magnetic (they respond to the distortion of the Earth's magnetic field at a given point created by a passing ship), acoustic (they respond to the noise of the ship's propellers), hydrodynamic (they respond to a slight decrease in water pressure). Mines could be equipped with one of the three main devices or in combination with others. The mines were also equipped with a bomb fuse, designed to turn on the main fuse in the event of a normal situation, and when it fell to the ground, to blow up the mine. TTX mines: length - 1626 mm; diameter - 661 mm; weight - 871 kg; explosive mass - 680 kg; drop height - 100-2000 m without prashute, with a parachute - up to 7000 m; drop speed - up to 460 km / h. TTX mines "Wasserballoon": length - 1011 mm; diameter - 381 mm; explosive mass - 40 kg.

A series of anchor, contact mines of the "EM" type consisted of modifications: "EMA" (produced since 1930, length - 1600 mm; width - 800 mm; explosive weight - 150 kg; setting depth - 100-150 m); "EMB" (produced since 1930, explosive weight - 220 kg; setting depth - 100 - 150 m); "EMC" (produced since 1938, diameter - 1120 mm; explosive weight - 300 kg; setting depth - 100 - 500 m), "EMC m KA" (produced since 1939, explosive mass - 250 - 285 kg; setting depth - 200-400 m); "EMC m AN Z" (produced since 1939, explosive mass - 285 - 300 kg., setting depth - 200 - 350 m), "EMD" (produced since 1938, explosive mass - 150 kg., setting depth - 100 - 200 m), "EMF" (produced since 1939, explosive weight - 350 kg., Setting depth - 200 - 500 m).

Marine, aviation parachute mines of the LM (Luftmine) series were the most common bottom mines of non-contact action. They were represented by four types: LMA (produced since 1939, weight - 550 kg; explosive weight - 300 kg), LMB, LMC and LMF (produced since 1943, weight - 1050 kg; explosive weight - 290 kg). The LMA and LMB mines were bottom mines, i.e. after dropping, they lay down on the bottom. The LMC, LMD and LMF mines were anchor mines, i.e. only the anchor of the mine lay on the bottom, and the mine itself was located at a certain depth. The mines had a cylindrical shape with a hemispherical nose. They were equipped with a magnetic, acoustic or magneto-acoustic fuse. Mines were dropped from He-115 and He-111 aircraft. They could also be used against ground targets, for which they were equipped with a clockwork fuse. When the mines were marked with a hydrodynamic fuse, they could be used as depth charges. The LMB mine was put into service in 1938 and existed in four main versions - LMB-I, LMB-II, LMB-III and LMB-IV. The LMB-I, LMB-II, LMB-III mines were practically indistinguishable from each other and very similar to the LMA mine, differing from it in its greater length and charge weight. Externally, the mine was an aluminum cylinder with a rounded nose and an open tail. Structurally, it consisted of three compartments. The first is the main charge compartment, which housed an explosive charge, a bomb fuse, an explosive device clock, a hydrostatic self-destruction device, and a non-disposal device. Outside, the compartment had a yoke for suspension to the aircraft and technological hatches. The second is the compartment of the explosive device, in which the explosive device was located, with a multiplicity device, a timer self-liquidator and a neutralizer, a non-disposal device and an opening protection device. The third is the parachute compartment, which housed the packed parachute. TTX mines: diameter - 660 mm; length - 2988 mm; weight - 986 kg; charge mass - 690 kg; type BB - hexonite; application depths - from 7 to 35 m; target detection distance - from 5 to 35 m; multiplicity device - from 0 to 15 ships; self-liquidators - when a mine is raised to a depth of less than 5 m, at a set time.

Sea mines, even the most primitive ones, still remain one of the main threats to warships and vessels at sea, especially in shallow coastal areas, narrows and harbors of ports and naval bases. A vivid example of this is mine explosions during Operation Desert Storm on the same day of two large warships of the US Navy.

Early morning February 18, 1991, about half past four in the morning, Persian Gulf. Operation Desert Storm is in full swing as the multinational coalition forces prepare to liberate Kuwait and make final preparations.

Landing helicopter carrier "Tripoli" (USS Tripoli, LPH-10), type "Iwo Jima", which during the operation played the role of the flagship of the formation of mine-sweeping means and on board of which at that moment there was a large group of minesweeper helicopters from the 14th minesweeper squadron, was heading to a given area, where his rotorcraft were to perform an important combat mission - to mine the area of ​​​​the coastal waters, where they were to carry out the landing of amphibious assault forces.

Suddenly, a huge ship is shaken by a powerful explosion on the starboard side. What's this? Torpedo? Mine? Yes, the mine - the giant "Tripoli" fell victim to the Iraqi anchor contact mine LUGM-145, which was produced in Iraq, had an explosive mass of 145 kg and was not much different from its older "horned girlfriends" who sent to the bottom during the Second World War oceans and seas, more than one hundred warships and ships. The explosion punched a hole approximately 4.9 x 6.1 m in size in the area below the ship's waterline, four sailors were injured. Moreover, Tripoli was still lucky - shortly after the explosion, when the ship stalled, the two minesweepers accompanying it discovered and dragged three more mines from the helicopter carrier.

It took the team 20 hours to seal the hole and pump out the water that had entered the hull, after which the ship was ready to continue solving the combat mission. However, this was impossible - during a mine explosion, fuel tanks with aviation fuel were damaged, and the helicopters of the 14th squadron had no choice but to remain in the Tripoli hangar (in total, according to available data, Tripoli lost about a third all the fuel available on board at the time of the mine explosion). Seven days later, he headed to Al Jubail, a port and naval base in Saudi Arabia, where the 14th squadron was relocated to another landing helicopter carrier, the New Orleans (USS New Orleans, LPH-11), type Iwo Jima , and then "Tripoli" went to Bahrain to perform repairs. Only after 30 days the ship was able to return to the fleet, and its repair cost the Americans $ 5 million, while the cost of one mine of the LUGM-145 type is only about $ 1.5 thousand.

But these were still flowers - four hours after the Tripoli was blown up, the American cruiser Princeton (USS Princeton, CG-59) of the Ticonderoga type, located about 28 miles from the Kuwaiti island of Failaka, was blown up on a mine - on the left flank of the coalition ship group. This time, the hero was the Italian-made Manta mine, which was in service with the Iraqi Navy. Under the cruiser, two mines worked at once - one exploded directly under the left steering gear, and the second - in the bow of the ship on the starboard side.

After two explosions, the left rudder jammed and the starboard propeller shaft was damaged, and as a result of damage to the chilled water supply pipeline, switchboard compartment No. 3 was flooded. the cruiser received local deformations (experts counted three strong dents with a partial break in the hull). Three members of the cruiser's crew received injuries of varying severity.

However, the personnel managed to quickly restore the combat readiness of the ship - after 15 minutes, the Aegis combat system and the weapons systems located in the bow of the ship were ready for use for their intended purpose in full, which allowed the Princeton, after it was taken out of the minefield the base minesweeper "Adroit" (USS Adroit, AM-509 / MSO-509), type "Ekmi", stay in the patrol area for another 30 hours, and only then it was replaced by another ship. For the courage and heroism shown in this episode, the ship and its crew received the Combat Action Ribbon, a special award - a bar awarded for direct participation in hostilities.

The primary repair of the cruiser took place in Bahrain, and then with the help of the Acadia destroyer ship (USS Acadia, AD-42), Yellowstone type, she moved to the port of Jebel Ali, near Dubai (UAE), and then was transferred to dry dock directly in Dubai, where the main repairs were carried out. Eight weeks later, the cruiser URO "Princeton" under its own power left for the United States, where it carried out the final repair and restoration work.

In total, the repair of the ship cost the US Navy budget, according to official data from the Research and Development Administration (report by the head of the department, Rear Admiral Nevin? P. Carr at the regional conference on the use of mines and mine action MINWARA in May 2011), almost 24 million. dollars (according to other sources, the work to return the ship to service cost the American fleet even $ 100 million), which is disproportionately more than the cost of two, in general, not very technologically sophisticated "shallow" bottom mines, each of which costs the buyer about 15 thousand dollars. In this way, the Italian developers of naval mines took part in Operation Desert Storm in a peculiar way.

However, the most significant result of the “Iraqi mine threat”, the seriousness of which was confirmed by the undermining of the Tripoli and the Princeton, was that the command of the coalition forces refused to conduct an amphibious landing operation, rightly fearing great losses. Only after the war did it become clear that the Iraqis had planted about 1,300 sea mines of various types in the northern part of the bay, in the landing-dangerous directions.
Deadly "Manta"

Mina MN103 "Manta» (Manta) developed and produced by the Italian company "SEI SpA", located in the city of Gedi, is equipped with proximity fuses of two types and is classified in specialized literature as either anti-amphibious or bottom. In particular, in the Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems reference book, the Manta mine is classified as a "stealth shallow water anti-invasion mine".

If, as they say, to look at this issue broadly, then we can conclude that both of these options are correct, since the Manta mine is installed at the bottom at depths from 2.5 to 100 meters, but the most priority scenario for its combat use is the installation mines in shallow water as part of a system of antiamphibious obstacles, as well as in narrow places, straits, in roadsteads, in harbors and ports. According to domestic terminology, "Manta" is a non-contact bottom mine.

The main targets for the Manta are landing ships and boats that go out during amphibious operations in shallow water, as well as combat surface ships and ships of small and medium displacement, various boats and submarines operating in shallow water areas. However, as was shown at the beginning of the material, the Manta mine is a very formidable and dangerous enemy for warships of larger displacement - up to URO cruisers.

The combat kit of the mine "Manta" includes:

A fiberglass hull, having the shape of a truncated cone and filled with ballast in the lower part, and having free volumes in the upper part, filled through the holes with water after the mine is placed on the ground;

Explosive charge (located at the bottom of the mine);

ignition device;

Safety devices for the safe transportation of the mine, its preparation and setting (the detonator is isolated from the explosive charge until the mine is immersed to a given depth);

Multiplicity and urgency devices;

Devices for providing remote control of the operation of a mine by wire (from a coastal post, etc.);

Proximity fuse equipment (acoustic and magnetic fuses);

Power Supply;

Elements of the electrical circuit.

The design features of the Manta mine (low silhouette, non-magnetic fiberglass hull, etc.) provide it with a high degree of stealth even when used by the enemy during trawling of such modern systems as anti-mine search vehicles with side-scan sonar stations, not to mention the use of traditional sonar mine detection stations for mine-sweeping ships, trawls of various types or optical-electronic detection tools (TV cameras). You can assess the degree of danger posed by the Manta mine to enemy warships and auxiliary vessels by looking at a photograph showing such a mine just a week after it was placed on the ground. In addition, the design of the mine body and its weight and size characteristics, successfully selected by the developer, ensure its reliable fastening on the ground, including in coastal and torrential zones characterized by strong tidal currents, as well as in river and canal water areas.

Manta minelaying can be carried out by warships and boats of all classes and types, as well as aircraft and helicopters - without the need for a significant amount of work to adapt them for this purpose. Target detection is carried out by the duty channel of the explosive device of the mine, which activates the acoustic sensor, after which the combat channel of the mine is switched on. The domestic literature indicates that the combat channel of the Manta mine includes magnetic and hydrodynamic sensors, but there is no mention of a hydrodynamic sensor in foreign specialized literature.

Mention should also be made of the possibility of delaying the time of bringing the Manta mine into a combat state, up to 63 days, which is ensured by means of an urgency device with a step of one day. In addition, it is possible to control the detonation of mines by wire from a coastal post, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the combat use of mines of this type as part of the antiamphibious or antisubmarine defense of the coast, harbors, ports, naval bases and bases.

The company-developer produces three modifications of Manta mines: combat, intended for use in their main purpose; practical, used in the process of training miners, during exercises, testing various anti-mine weapons and collecting various statistics, as well as training mines or mock-ups, which are also used for training specialists, but only in classrooms and classes on the shore (ship) .

The combat modification of the mine has the following performance characteristics: maximum diameter - 980 mm; height - 440 mm; weight - 220 kg; explosive mass - 130 kg; type of explosive - trinitrotoluene (TNT), HBX-3 (phlegmatized TNT-hexogen-aluminum) or solid thermobaric explosive type PBXN-111 (cast composition on a polymer binder); setting depth - 2.5–100 m; the radius of the dangerous zone of the mine (destruction zone) - 20–30 m; permissible water temperature - from -2.5 ° C to +35 ° C; the term of combat service in position (on the ground in a combat position) - at least one year; shelf life in a warehouse - not less than 20 years.

Currently, the Manta mine is in service with the Italian Navy, as well as the navies of a number of countries around the world. It is hardly possible to determine exactly which countries, since the owner countries usually do not seek to advertise the presence of such means of armed struggle in their arsenal. However, one such country-owner of Manta-type mines appeared, as already mentioned above, during the first Gulf War of 1990-91. In total, according to the reference book "Janes" for 2010-11, more than 5,000 mines of the "Manta" type have been fired to date.