SUT torpedo

SUT torpedo
Type	Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	1980-Present
Production history
Manufacturer	Atlas Elektronik
Variants	Mod 1, Mod 2
Specifications
Mass	1,419 kilograms (3,128 lb)
Diameter	533 mm
Maximum firing range	30 kilometres (16 nmi)
Warhead weight	259 kilograms (571 lb)
Detonation mechanism	Proximity or contact detonation
Engine	Electrical batteries
Maximum speed	35 knots (65 km/h)
Guidance system	Wire-guided with autonomous active terminal homing sonar

The AEG SUT 264 is a German dual-purpose 21 inch heavyweight wire-guided torpedo produced by Atlas Elektronik, which entered service in 1980.^[1][2][3] The torpedo is primarily produced for export and has been sold to numerous countries.^[4][2]

SUT stands for Surface and Underwater Target.^[5] It is a dual-purpose weapon that can be launched from surface ships, submarines, and shore positions.^[6]

The SUT Mod 2 has as special feature that it can send additional data, including audio, from the homing head back to the vessel it launched from.^[2] It has been compared favorably to the Chinese Yu-4 and Yu-6.^[7]

In 1986 Indonesia signed a contract to obtain a license for long-term indigenous production of the SUT torpedo.^[1][2] A production line was set up in Indonesia with the cooperation of the Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Aerospace.^{[citation needed]} Taiwan received 200 torpedoes from this production line in 1998.^[8]

In 2004 the Chilean Scorpène-class submarine O'Higgins fired a SUT while running at depth during its acceptance tests off Lorient, France.^[9]

In 2013 OEM Atlas Elektronik was contracted to upgrade the 64 SUTs remaining in Indian service.^[10]

The SUT was the first torpedo fired by the Kalvari-class submarine because of a lack of procurement of planned heavyweight torpedoes.^[6] A planned purchase of Black Shark torpedoes fell through because their manufacturer Finmeccanica was blacklisted by the Indian government for procurement corruption.^[11]

The SUT was originally procured along with the two Hai Lung-class submarines.^[12] The torpedoes were procured from the Indonesian production line. In addition to money Taiwan exchanged landing craft and 100,000 tons of rice for the torpedoes.^[3]

On September 4, 2003 a war shot SUT fired by a submarine during the Hankuang No. 19 training exercise broke its control wires and went out of control. The torpedo was recovered four hours later from a Yilan County beach. Representatives of the manufacturer traveled to Taiwan to participate in the incident investigation.^[13] On October 8 the Navy tested a second torpedo with satisfactory results. On October 14 the Navy held a full test in Pingtung County, the first torpedo experienced similar problems to the one on September 4 but the issue was resolved and a second torpedo successfully destroyed the target, a decommissioned Yang-class destroyer.^[14]

In 2010 the Taiwanese Navy offered a reward to local fishermen for the recovery of a training SUT lost during an exercise.^[15] The SUT will be replaced by the Mk 48 torpedo in Taiwanese service.^[16]

• Chilean Navy^[17]
• Colombian Navy^[17]
• Ecuadorian Navy^[17]
• Egyptian Navy^[5]
• Hellenic Navy^[18]
• Indian Navy^[6]
• Indonesian Navy
• South Korean Navy^[7]
• South African Navy^[19]
• Republic of China Navy^[8]
• Peruvian Navy

• SST torpedo

• Friedman, Norman (1991). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems 1991/1992. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-288-5.
• Watts, Anthony J., ed. (1997). Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems 1997-1998. Coulsdon, Surrey: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1561-2.
• Zimmerman, Stan (2000). Submarine Technology for the 21st Century (2nd ed.). Victoria, British Columbia: Trafford Publishing. ISBN 1-55212-330-8.

• Archer, Dennis, ed. (1976). Jane's Pocket Book Of Naval Armament. New York: Collier Books.