SeaSpider ATT completes trials in Baltic Sea

Atlas Elektronik’s SeaSpider anti-torpedo-torpedo (ATT) has successfully completed sea trials in cooperation with the German Bundeswehr technical center for ships and naval weapons, maritime technology and research (WTD 71), the company announced on 2 April.

The Baltic Sea trials for torpedo defence studies were conducted on a WTD 71 multipurpose vessel. The trials included the full functional chain with torpedo detection, classification and localisation (TDCL) sonar, and the third generation SeaSpider prototype with its above water launcher.

During trials both an Mk37 torpedo-derived AUV and DM2A3 torpedoes served as threats which were detected and localised with passive and active TDCL. The attendant data was used to cue the SeaSpider launch. SeaSpider acquired the threats and homed in into closest point of approach (CPA). Successful intercept equivalent CPA was verified by acoustic and optical means.

With these trials, the full sensor-to-shooter functional chain of a hardkill surface ship torpedo defence system with TDCL and the SeaSpider ATT has been successfully demonstrated on a surface ship.