53.3 cm (21") DM1 Seeschlange (Sea Serpent)

Ship Class Used On Submarines
Date Of Design 1971
Date In Service 1975
Weight 3,020 lbs. (1,370 kg)
Overall Length 163.4 in. (4.150 m)
[181.9 in. (4.150 m) incl. reel]
Explosive Charge 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Range / Speed 6,560 yards (6,000 m) / 33 knots
13,100 yards (12,000 m) / about 20 knots
Power Silver-zinc battery

Wire-guided ASW torpedo with active/passive homing head. The wire-guidance system was specifically designed for Baltic waters. The shorter length of this torpedo allows it to be used by the Type 206 submarine.

53.3 cm (21") DM2A1 Seal

Ship Class Used On Surface ships and Submarines
Date Of Design 1967
Date In Service 1969
Weight 3,020 lbs. (1,370 kg)
Overall Length 257.9 in. (6.550 m)
Explosive Charge 551 lbs. (250 kg)
Range / Speed 22,000 yards (20,000 m) / 33 knots
Also has a lower speed setting for increased range
Power Silver-zinc battery

Wire-guided anti-ship torpedo. Has passive homing capability. When launched by surface ships, these torpedoes are fired back over the stern with the tail facing forward.

53.3 cm (21") DM2A3 and DM2A4 Seehecht (Seahake)

Ship Class Used On Surface ships and Submarines
Date Of Design 1985
Date In Service 1987/ 1999 for DM2 A-4
Weight 3,020 lbs. (1,370 kg)
Overall Length 259.8 in. (6.600 m)
Explosive Charge 573 lbs. (260 kg)
Range / Speed DM2 A-3: 22,000 yards (20,000 m) / 35 knots.
Also a lower speed setting for increased range.
DM2 A-4: 55,000 yards (~50,000 m)/ 50 knots maximum speed.
Also has different speed settings.
Power Silver-zinc battery on contra-rotating skew-back props

Wire-guided anti-ship and anti submarine torpedo. Has passive homing capability. This torpedo was a joint AEG/Elsag program to upgrade existing Seal/Seeschlange torpedoes. The seekers were upgraded first (DM2 A-3) then the propulsion plant (DM2 A-4).The seeker is a modern conformal array offering improved detection range, wider angle of view, better target recognition and resistance to countermeasures. DM2 A-3 also uses a fibre-optic-wire for telecontrol and data transmission. Both torpedoes are very well suited for shallow water operations under the usually adverse sonar conditions in the Baltic sea due to different salt concentrations and water temperatures.

In Germany this torpedo entered service with the Type 206A submarines in the DM2 A-3 version. The DM2 A-4 version is planned for the for future Type 212 air-independent submarines that are expected to enter service in the year 2000, after long delays caused by budget cuts after the end of the cold war and the German reunification.

The DM2 A-3 version is also used by the Norwegian Ula class (German Type 210 subs) with an option for a later upgrade). The Italian Type 212 B submarines use the DM2 A-4 version. The Israeli Dolphin-class (German Type S-300) are also being equipped with the DM2 A-4 Torpedo.

The DM2 A-4 export version for non-NATO countries is named "Seahake" and is supposed to be offered with the export submarines of the Type 209-1500 and the new Type 214.

DM3

This was the German designation for the US Mark 37. Details may be found in the USA torpedo section. The original armament of post-World War II German submarines was Mark 37 for ASW and the British Mark 8** for anti-ship actions.

53.3 cm (21") SST-3 Seal

Ship Class Used On Surface ships and Submarines
Date Of Design 1967
Date In Service 1972
Weight 3,116 lbs. (1,414 kg)
Overall Length 239 in. (6.080 m)
Explosive Charge 573 lbs. (260 kg)
Range / Speed 24,000 yards (22,000 m) / 35 knots
56,000 yards (51,200 m) / 23 knots
Power Silver-zinc battery

SST = Special Surface Target. Wire-guided anti-ship torpedo. This torpedo has probably been produced by IPTN of Indonesia since 1978.

53.3 cm (21") SST-4 Seal

Ship Class Used On Surface ships and Submarines
Date Of Design 1975
Date In Service 1980
Weight 3,116 lbs. (1,414 kg)
Overall Length 239 in. (6.080 m)
Explosive Charge 573 lbs. (260 kg)
Range / Speed 12,000 yards (11,000 m) / 35 knots
22,000 yards (20,000 m) / 28 knots
40,000 yards (37,000 m) / 23 knots
Power Silver-zinc battery

Wire-guided anti-ship torpedo. Has passive homing capability. When launched by surface ships, these torpedoes are fired back over the stern with the tail facing forward.

53.3 cm (21") SUT

Ship Class Used On Surface ships and Submarines
Date Of Design 1967
Date In Service SST-3: 1972
SST-4: 1980
Weight 3,116 lbs. (1,414 kg)
Overall Length 239 in. (6.080 m)
Explosive Charge 573 lbs. (260 kg)
Range / Speed 13,100 yards (12,000 m) / 35 knots
30,600 yards (28,000 m) / 23 knots
Power Silver-zinc battery

SUT = Surface and Underwater Target. Wire-guided anti-ship torpedo. Has passive homing capability. When launched by surface ships, these torpedoes are fired back over the stern with the tail facing forward. In service with many nations and with Indonesia producing license copies.

More German Torpedo Datapages

Sources

"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
"Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems 1997-98" edited by Anthony J. Watts
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"Soldat und Technik" (Soldier and Technology)
"Marineforum" (Navy Forum)
"Deutsche U-Boote - heute und morgen" [German U-Boats - today and tomorrow]
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Special help from Norbert Schulz

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