Yu-1 torpedo
Encyclopedia
Yu-1 torpedo was the first Chinese
built steam powered torpedo
, it was a development of the unguided straight-running Soviet ASuW
Type 53 torpedo
. It was type classified in September 1971. The Yu-1 was actually the second domestically produced torpedo to enter Chinese service, the first was the Yu-2 torpedo
. During the 1980s a version was developed with passive acoustic homing designated the Yu-1A.
Zhang Aiping
and the deputy commander-in-chief of PLAN
Luo Shunchu (罗舜初) led a military delegation to visit the Soviet Union
and signed a deal with Soviets to produce three types of Soviet torpedoes in China. In comparison with other military programs each with dozens or even hundreds of Soviet advisors, however, Soviet Union
did not put too much emphasis on the torpedo capability: the total number of Soviet advisors initially sent to China for its all of its torpedo programs was only five. Soviet Union
quickly delivered the samples and technical information of the three types of torpedoes to China with the five advisors to China as promised. Two Soviet advisors were assigned to assist China to produce the RAT-52 rocket-powered torpedo at No. 123 Factory, while others were assigned to teach China about compressed oxygen powered torpedo and SAET-50 acoustic homing torpedoes. In July, 1960, the first two samples of Chinese-built rocket propelled torpedoes were completed. Type 920 electrical propulsion system and electronics of the electrically powered passive acoustic homing torpedo had also been completed, while the basic technologies of compressed oxygen torpedoes were also mastered by China.
The subsequent Sino-Soviet split
ended the development relationship, and from July 28 to September 1, 1960, the Soviet Union
withdrew its advisers. Compounding the problem, other domestic political turmoil such as Great Leap Forward
further hindered the Chinese development of torpedoes. The 7th Academy consequently ordered the 705th Research Institute to lead a team consisted of No. 724 Factory, Pinyang Machinery Factory (平阳机械厂) in Houma, Shanxi
, and East Wind Instrumentation Factory (东风仪表厂) in Xi'an
to indigenously manufacture Soviet compressed oxygen powered torpedo. In 1962, Field Marshal
Nie Rongzhen
ordered all resources to be concentrated on achieving the goal of fielding “two boats and a torpedo” (Two boats: torpedo boat
and submarine
, torpedo: heavy torpedo of 533 mm diameter).
In July, 1962, researchers at 705th Institute concluded that despite having samples and design drawings, compressed oxygen powered torpedoes was unsafe and after numerous accidental explosions, they were rarely used by the Soviet Navy, and Chinese navy was not happy with oxygen powered torpedo either. Chinese researchers recommended steam powered torpedo instead, and in the following year, PLAN
issued an order to first develop steam powered torpedo, and then the electrically powered acoustic homing torpedo. One of the two torpedo factories China had set up in the 1950s were assigned as the primary contractor. However, due to the political turmoil in China, the development of Yu-1 torpedo was changed several times, until it was finally decided to proceed in two portions in parallel, with the first portion to develop the unguided version torpedo, while the second portion was for microelectronics development for the acoustic homing guidance, and once both succeeded, they would be merged together. The development of Yu-2 torpedo
suffered a similar fate.
Chinese researchers decided that compressed oxygen powered torpedo was unsuitable for a number of reasons: Compressed Oxygen is highly volatile, and the logistical support required was costly and complex, additionally it required a highly trained crew.
Instead, Chinese researchers recommended the development of a steam-powered torpedo instead, which required less maintenance, cost less to produce, and the Chinese navy was already familiar with them. With the exception of slightly shorter range, the speed and other performance parameters of the steam powered torpedo were nearly identical to that of compressed oxygen powered torpedo.
General Liu Huaqing
, the future commander-in-chief of the PLAN
, was the head of the 7th Academy and agreed with the Chinese researchers and ordered two samples to be produced in 30 months, with the 705th Research Institute as the primary contractor. Since there were no design information available, Chinese had to reverse engineer the Soviet steam powered Type 53 torpedo by taking apart two Soviet samples sold to China. Compounding the problem, the No. 50 Factory of the 705th Institute was only a small factory of 200 employees, and lacked both the necessary equipment and experts needed for the job. The 7th Academy made a top priority in 1963 to order machine tools for the torpedo factory, while with the approvals of both the National Science and Technology Committee and the National Defense Science and Technology Committee, over two dozen experts including the best machine tool operators were assigned to the torpedo factory from other areas including Nanjing
.
The propulsion system was the critical factor affecting the speed and the range of the torpedo. The Soviet Type 53 steam powered torpedo was powered by a reciprocating engine and the cylinder of the engine had to sustain tremendous pressure. The only way to build cylinders that meet the requirement was to use a brand-new method to cast a newly developed copper alloy, which took the joint effort of a total of 40 enterprises with more than several dozen attempts until they were successful. The depth controls of the torpedo proved to be another problem and it took 30 days continuous work and 54 failures before the Chinese had finally master the heat treatment process of the depth controls.
During the development, senior workers on the production line with great experience had contributed as much as technicians and engineers. For example, Mr. Zhao Zhongfa (赵忠发) made critical inputs that were instrumental in successful production techniques.
By the third quarter of 1964, all 8 major subsystems of the propulsion systems were completed, so were the directional and depth control systems. By the fourth quarter of 1964, all 18 individual components / subsystems had been successfully developed by No. 50 Factory of the 705th Institute, half a year ahead of schedule.
Capitalizing on the success, Mr. Luo Chuanli (骆传骊) of the 705th Institute led a team of researchers to Pinyang Machinery Factory (平阳机械厂) in Houma, Shanxi
to assist the general design engineer Mr. Li Fengku (李风库) and his team of the factory to speed up the next stage of the development. In the meantime, 705th Institute and East Wind Instrumentation Factory (东风仪表厂) in Xi'an
jointly developed the gyroscope for the torpedo.
In 1965, the first sample was built and subsequently, over 100 samples were tested, but due to the rudimentary testing range at the time, it was difficult to evaluate the performance of the torpedoes based on the very limited test data, and further tests were required. What was revealed by the end of the test in March, 1966, however, was that the there were three confirmed problems: the torpedo engine would sometimes stop when traveling at 2 metres depth, efficiency of the propulsion system was not as stable as desired, and the torpedo traveled too deep.
In March, 1970, additional tests begun at different places, including Lushun, Zhoushan
, and Qinghai
, and lasted 18 months, over 500 times and using 104 samples. The 18 months long trial tested a total of 28 designs and finally solved all of the existing problems. However, the Chinese microelectronics industry was not capable to produce the passive acoustic homing guidance according to the original plan, but due to the urgent need, the original plan changed one last time with unguided version was pressed into service as Yu (鱼) -1 (in September, 1971), while the passive acoustic homing guided version was named as Yu-1 Jia (鱼-1甲), sometimes also known as Yu-1G, which would take years to complete.
In addition of being able to be launched from modern system, Yu-1 series torpedo can be directly launched from old torpedo tubes including World War II
equipment without the need to make any modifications to the launching equipment and fire control systems. The importance of Yu-1 torpedo is that through the development program, China had established the indigenous torpedo manufacturing and developing capability.
capability, so that the torpedo could no longer only be used for ASuW
, but instead, can be used for both ASuW
and ASW
warfare. Another important modification was to incorporate Yu-1 torpedo as part of the CAPTOR mine
type mine system. Upgrades with newer electronics had also been done. Incorporating active acoustic homing guidance was another upgrade.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
built steam powered torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
, it was a development of the unguided straight-running Soviet ASuW
ASUW
ASUW may refer to:*Associated Students of the University of Washington*Associated Students of the University of Wyoming*Anti-Surface Warfare...
Type 53 torpedo
Type 53 torpedo
Type 53 is the common name for a family of 53 cm torpedoes manufactured in Russia, starting with the 53-27 torpedo and continuing to the modern UGST....
. It was type classified in September 1971. The Yu-1 was actually the second domestically produced torpedo to enter Chinese service, the first was the Yu-2 torpedo
Yu-2 torpedo
Yu-2 torpedo was a Chinese development of the unguided straight-running Soviet ASuW RAT-52 torpedo with passive acoustic homing capability added. The historical background of Yu–2 is identical to that of Yu-1 torpedo and Yu-4 torpedo...
. During the 1980s a version was developed with passive acoustic homing designated the Yu-1A.
Development
In August, 1958, the deputy chief-of-staff of PLAPeople's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
Zhang Aiping
Zhang Aiping
Zhang Aiping was a Chinese communist military leader.-Biography:...
and the deputy commander-in-chief of PLAN
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...
Luo Shunchu (罗舜初) led a military delegation to visit the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and signed a deal with Soviets to produce three types of Soviet torpedoes in China. In comparison with other military programs each with dozens or even hundreds of Soviet advisors, however, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
did not put too much emphasis on the torpedo capability: the total number of Soviet advisors initially sent to China for its all of its torpedo programs was only five. Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
quickly delivered the samples and technical information of the three types of torpedoes to China with the five advisors to China as promised. Two Soviet advisors were assigned to assist China to produce the RAT-52 rocket-powered torpedo at No. 123 Factory, while others were assigned to teach China about compressed oxygen powered torpedo and SAET-50 acoustic homing torpedoes. In July, 1960, the first two samples of Chinese-built rocket propelled torpedoes were completed. Type 920 electrical propulsion system and electronics of the electrically powered passive acoustic homing torpedo had also been completed, while the basic technologies of compressed oxygen torpedoes were also mastered by China.
The subsequent Sino-Soviet split
Sino-Soviet split
In political science, the term Sino–Soviet split denotes the worsening of political and ideologic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War...
ended the development relationship, and from July 28 to September 1, 1960, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
withdrew its advisers. Compounding the problem, other domestic political turmoil such as Great Leap Forward
Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward of the People's Republic of China was an economic and social campaign of the Communist Party of China , reflected in planning decisions from 1958 to 1961, which aimed to use China's vast population to rapidly transform the country from an agrarian economy into a modern...
further hindered the Chinese development of torpedoes. The 7th Academy consequently ordered the 705th Research Institute to lead a team consisted of No. 724 Factory, Pinyang Machinery Factory (平阳机械厂) in Houma, Shanxi
Houma, Shanxi
Houma is a city in the Shanxi province on the People's Republic of China, on the Fen River south of Linfen. It is 274 km large and has a population of 102,400....
, and East Wind Instrumentation Factory (东风仪表厂) in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
to indigenously manufacture Soviet compressed oxygen powered torpedo. In 1962, Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
Nie Rongzhen
Nie Rongzhen
Nie Rongzhen was a prominent Chinese Communist military leader, and one of ten Marshals in the People's Liberation Army of China. He was the last surviving PLA officer with the rank of Marshal.-Biography:...
ordered all resources to be concentrated on achieving the goal of fielding “two boats and a torpedo” (Two boats: torpedo boat
Torpedo boat
A torpedo boat is a relatively small and fast naval vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes, and later designs launched self-propelled Whitehead torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow and...
and submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
, torpedo: heavy torpedo of 533 mm diameter).
In July, 1962, researchers at 705th Institute concluded that despite having samples and design drawings, compressed oxygen powered torpedoes was unsafe and after numerous accidental explosions, they were rarely used by the Soviet Navy, and Chinese navy was not happy with oxygen powered torpedo either. Chinese researchers recommended steam powered torpedo instead, and in the following year, PLAN
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...
issued an order to first develop steam powered torpedo, and then the electrically powered acoustic homing torpedo. One of the two torpedo factories China had set up in the 1950s were assigned as the primary contractor. However, due to the political turmoil in China, the development of Yu-1 torpedo was changed several times, until it was finally decided to proceed in two portions in parallel, with the first portion to develop the unguided version torpedo, while the second portion was for microelectronics development for the acoustic homing guidance, and once both succeeded, they would be merged together. The development of Yu-2 torpedo
Yu-2 torpedo
Yu-2 torpedo was a Chinese development of the unguided straight-running Soviet ASuW RAT-52 torpedo with passive acoustic homing capability added. The historical background of Yu–2 is identical to that of Yu-1 torpedo and Yu-4 torpedo...
suffered a similar fate.
Chinese researchers decided that compressed oxygen powered torpedo was unsuitable for a number of reasons: Compressed Oxygen is highly volatile, and the logistical support required was costly and complex, additionally it required a highly trained crew.
Instead, Chinese researchers recommended the development of a steam-powered torpedo instead, which required less maintenance, cost less to produce, and the Chinese navy was already familiar with them. With the exception of slightly shorter range, the speed and other performance parameters of the steam powered torpedo were nearly identical to that of compressed oxygen powered torpedo.
General Liu Huaqing
Liu Huaqing
Liu Huaqing was the Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy from 1982 through 1988, and is considered to been responsible for its modernization efforts....
, the future commander-in-chief of the PLAN
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...
, was the head of the 7th Academy and agreed with the Chinese researchers and ordered two samples to be produced in 30 months, with the 705th Research Institute as the primary contractor. Since there were no design information available, Chinese had to reverse engineer the Soviet steam powered Type 53 torpedo by taking apart two Soviet samples sold to China. Compounding the problem, the No. 50 Factory of the 705th Institute was only a small factory of 200 employees, and lacked both the necessary equipment and experts needed for the job. The 7th Academy made a top priority in 1963 to order machine tools for the torpedo factory, while with the approvals of both the National Science and Technology Committee and the National Defense Science and Technology Committee, over two dozen experts including the best machine tool operators were assigned to the torpedo factory from other areas including Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
.
The propulsion system was the critical factor affecting the speed and the range of the torpedo. The Soviet Type 53 steam powered torpedo was powered by a reciprocating engine and the cylinder of the engine had to sustain tremendous pressure. The only way to build cylinders that meet the requirement was to use a brand-new method to cast a newly developed copper alloy, which took the joint effort of a total of 40 enterprises with more than several dozen attempts until they were successful. The depth controls of the torpedo proved to be another problem and it took 30 days continuous work and 54 failures before the Chinese had finally master the heat treatment process of the depth controls.
During the development, senior workers on the production line with great experience had contributed as much as technicians and engineers. For example, Mr. Zhao Zhongfa (赵忠发) made critical inputs that were instrumental in successful production techniques.
By the third quarter of 1964, all 8 major subsystems of the propulsion systems were completed, so were the directional and depth control systems. By the fourth quarter of 1964, all 18 individual components / subsystems had been successfully developed by No. 50 Factory of the 705th Institute, half a year ahead of schedule.
Capitalizing on the success, Mr. Luo Chuanli (骆传骊) of the 705th Institute led a team of researchers to Pinyang Machinery Factory (平阳机械厂) in Houma, Shanxi
Houma, Shanxi
Houma is a city in the Shanxi province on the People's Republic of China, on the Fen River south of Linfen. It is 274 km large and has a population of 102,400....
to assist the general design engineer Mr. Li Fengku (李风库) and his team of the factory to speed up the next stage of the development. In the meantime, 705th Institute and East Wind Instrumentation Factory (东风仪表厂) in Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
jointly developed the gyroscope for the torpedo.
In 1965, the first sample was built and subsequently, over 100 samples were tested, but due to the rudimentary testing range at the time, it was difficult to evaluate the performance of the torpedoes based on the very limited test data, and further tests were required. What was revealed by the end of the test in March, 1966, however, was that the there were three confirmed problems: the torpedo engine would sometimes stop when traveling at 2 metres depth, efficiency of the propulsion system was not as stable as desired, and the torpedo traveled too deep.
In March, 1970, additional tests begun at different places, including Lushun, Zhoushan
Zhoushan
Zhoushan or Zhoushan Archipelago New Area; formerly transliterated as Chusan, is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. The only prefecture-level city of the People's Republic of China consisting solely of islands, it lies across the mouth of the Hangzhou Bay,...
, and Qinghai
Qinghai
Qinghai ; Oirat Mongolian: ; ; Salar:) is a province of the People's Republic of China, named after Qinghai Lake...
, and lasted 18 months, over 500 times and using 104 samples. The 18 months long trial tested a total of 28 designs and finally solved all of the existing problems. However, the Chinese microelectronics industry was not capable to produce the passive acoustic homing guidance according to the original plan, but due to the urgent need, the original plan changed one last time with unguided version was pressed into service as Yu (鱼) -1 (in September, 1971), while the passive acoustic homing guided version was named as Yu-1 Jia (鱼-1甲), sometimes also known as Yu-1G, which would take years to complete.
In addition of being able to be launched from modern system, Yu-1 series torpedo can be directly launched from old torpedo tubes including World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
equipment without the need to make any modifications to the launching equipment and fire control systems. The importance of Yu-1 torpedo is that through the development program, China had established the indigenous torpedo manufacturing and developing capability.
Modification
Although the production of the newly built Yu-1 torpedoes has stopped long time ago, production continues in the form of upgrading the existing Yu-1 torpedoes in Chinese inventory, which numbered near 10,000. Yu-1 torpedoes have been modified in various stages, including incorporating ASWAnti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
capability, so that the torpedo could no longer only be used for ASuW
ASUW
ASUW may refer to:*Associated Students of the University of Washington*Associated Students of the University of Wyoming*Anti-Surface Warfare...
, but instead, can be used for both ASuW
ASUW
ASUW may refer to:*Associated Students of the University of Washington*Associated Students of the University of Wyoming*Anti-Surface Warfare...
and ASW
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
warfare. Another important modification was to incorporate Yu-1 torpedo as part of the CAPTOR mine
CAPTOR mine
The CAPTOR is the United States Navy's primary anti-submarine naval mine. This deep-water mine is laid by ship, aircraft or submarine, and is anchored to the ocean floor. When its sonar detects a hostile submarine, the CAPTOR launches a Mark 46 torpedo.The name CAPTOR is short for enCAPsulated...
type mine system. Upgrades with newer electronics had also been done. Incorporating active acoustic homing guidance was another upgrade.