South Korea’s LIG Nex1 is ready for mass production of Tiger Shark Torpedo

Asia-Pacific, News May 22, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

South Korean Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) announced that defense firm LIG Nex1 is ready for mass production of Tiger Shark Wire-guided heavyweight torpedo following the successful completion of its trial phase.

The final trials for the Tiger Shark torpedo were carried out from South Korea’s KSS-II and KSS-III submarines from March to May 2022. The torpedo was fired twice from each class of submarines to test its compatibility with the South Korean Naval fleet. All tests were announced to be successful by the South Korean military on May 17 before Tiger Shark Torpedo was put into mass production.

Head of the DTaQ’s Center for Guided Ordnance Jang Bong-gi stated that “We have now successfully fired the torpedo not only from the KSS-II but also the KSS-III. This will be a good benchmark for guided weapons for all of our military platforms in the future.” He also pointed out that the heavyweight torpedo is completely indigenous with 99% of its parts also produced within South Korea. Tiger Shark Torpedo is expected to contribute significantly to South Korea’s weapons exports.

LIG Nex1 is South Korea’s aerospace and weapons manufacturer company tasked with developing a new wire-guided heavyweight torpedo. The research and development process of the Tiger Shark torpedo began in March 2009.

South Korean Navy currently relies heavily upon Mod2 and White Shark torpedo for underwater targeting. The new 6.5 meters long and 1,619 kilograms heavy, Tiger Shark torpedo is much more effective than any other torpedo missiles currently in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

Tiger Shark wire-guided torpedo can find its target within the range of 50 kilometers and travels at a maximum speed of 55 knots. Each unit of Tiger Shark torpedo would cost around $2.6 million, making it one of the most expensive torpedos in service for the South Korean Navy.

*^{A mock-up of the South Korean Tiger Shark heavyweight torpedo on display at MADEX 2019. (Image Credit: M.Boruah/Janes)}*

A wire-guided torpedo uses a thin fiber-optic cable to communicate with its launching mechanism to receive navigation data and maneuvering instructions. The wire-guided mechanism is far more accurate and faster, especially underwater, compared to the wireless control setup. Tiger Shark torpedo uses a thin fiber-optic cable like the one in German Deutsches Modell 2 Mod 4. These cables are much more buoyant than the regular cables, allowing a greater range and more accuracy.

Tiger Shark is equipped with a lithium ion battery-powered electric motor for propulsion. This minimizes the launching noise and allows the torpedo to reach its target undetected. It has a highly maneuverable controlling system that allows altering the speed and trajectory at any given time, which makes it undetectable. Other systems also include a wake homing system and an advanced computer system which allows it to defeat the countermeasures.