Torped 47

The Torped 47 or SLWT (Saab’s Lightweight Torpedo) is a new lightweight torpedo intended for ASW and surface targets, providing multiple-target active/passive homing combined with wire guidance. It is designed and manufactured by Saab Dynamics as a replacement for the Torped 45.

The torpedo is designed for the Swedish Navy and it will be equipped with both a passive and an active homing device and use wire communication like the Torpedo 45, using a galvanic wire (later also an optical wire).

Torpedo 47 can be launched from a variety of platforms including stationary, surface vessels, submarines and helicopters. It is specifically designed to operate against littoral submarine targets and surface vessels. It is controlled using wire guidance and has a hydro-acoustic homing system for the final phase. The torpedo has features that are unique for lightweight torpedoes.

Torped 47 was selected by the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 program and will be installed on the Hamina-class during MLU and the new Pohjanmaa-class corvette.

In October 2022 Saab delivered the first Torped 47 to the Swedish FMV. Torped 47 was officially delivered to the Swedish Navy in December 2022.

In November 2023 Torped 47 was delivered to the Finnish Navy with acceptance firings being performed by two Hamina-class fast attack craft following their mid-life upgrade.

In April 2025, a torpedo was tested from the CB90.

Technologies

The torpedo is using a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate battery. For the propulsion, a pumpjet is used, and it replaces the historic contra-rotating propellers. The propulsion enables a wide range of velocity.

Regarding the electronics, it uses a two-ways datalink with the launch platform through a copper wire. It also uses a highly accurate navigation system. And for the homing, detection, classification and tracking of the targets, the MS4 head, which has passive and active capabilities, is being used.

Some parts will be used by the , the future heavyweight torpedo of Saab and the Swedish Navy.

Potential upgrades

Saab and the Swedish Navy mentioned several options for a more advanced variant:

* Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide battery as a more energetically dense option. The lithium iron phosphate battery was selected as a low risk short term option, and a more capable battery is an option.
* Changing the torpedo head with a wideband (multi-frequency) acoustic homing head.
* Improvement of the wake homing performance.
* Replacement of the copper wire with a fibre optic cable.
* Widening its capacity to be used as an anti-torpedo torpedo, and an anti-autonomous underwater vehicle.

Variants

Saab is developing a heavy weight torpedo, the Torped 63, based on the technologies of the Torped 47. This development is undertaken in collaboration with the FMV, the Swedish Defence Research Agency and the Swedish Armed Forces

Operators

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References

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Torpedoes of Sweden
Aerial torpedoes