Big Deal Super Threat or Not? Russia & Iran Have 230mph “Supercavitating Torpedos”

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington D.C.) Russia’s Shkval supercavitating torpedo reportedly reaches speeds of 230 miles per hour, four times faster than most legacy torpedoes

Of possible concern to the Pentagon, a “supercavitaing” torpedo has increased speed to attack surface ships and submarines on the move at great distances, with the ability to maneuver and achieve precision.

Supercavitating Torpedoes: What We Know

Both Iran and Russia reportedly operate supercavitating torpedoes, according to their own press reports. 

Russia’s VA-111 Shkval is a supercavitating torpedo reported by Russian press to achieve speed of 230 miles per hour, a speed more than four times speeds listed for most legacy torpedoes which travel anywhere from 28 to 48 Mph. The speed differential, therefore, is massive and therefore something likely to increase the risks posed to major US Navy surface ships and submarines seeking to elude detection.

An essay from militaryperiscope.com, for instance, specifies this enormous margin of difference. 

“The Shkval is fired from the standard 533-mm torpedo tube at a depth of up to 328 ft (100 m). The rocket-powered torpedo exits the tube at 50 knots (93 kmh) and then ignites the rocket motor, propelling the weapon to speeds four to five times faster than other conventional torpedoes,” the essay states.

Should the U.S. Navy Worry?

Given this difference, the technological leap forward woven into supercavitating torpedoes indeed sounds extremely significant, such that one might wonder just how this might be achieved.