FMV, Saab demonstrate Torpedo 47 integration on craft of opportunity

FMV has confirmed that trials were carried out in late 2024 in collaboration with Saab and the Swedish Armed Forces to evaluate the feasibility of using Tp 47 on a Combat Boat 90. (FMV)

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk: FMV) and Saab have disclosed testing of the new Torpedo 47 (Tp 47) lightweight torpedo from two small ‘non-traditional' craft of opportunity.

In a 25 March release, FMV detailed trials of Tp 47 from a Combat Boat 90 assault craft. Saab a day later revealed that it had also conducted a demonstration of Tp 47 from an unmanned surface vessel (USV).

Developed by Saab to replace the legacy Tp 45 weapon in Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) service, the Tp 47 is a new-generation 400 mm-diameter wire-guided torpedo specifically designed for the complex environmental conditions of the Baltic. The weapon features a new power and propulsion architecture (notably a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate [LiFePO4] battery, a stepless motor controller, and a pumpjet propulsor); the MS4 active/passive digital homing head; and a wire link for two-way data communications with the launch platform.

The RSwN introduced Tp 47 into service in 2023 on both corvettes and submarines. The Finnish Navy has also introduced Tp 47 on its Hamina-class fast attack craft and plans to fit the weapon on new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes.

FMV has now acknowledged work with Saab and the Swedish Armed Forces to evaluate the feasibility of using Tp 47 on much smaller naval craft. This activity – a collaboration between the Amphibious Battalion 2030 and New Light Torpedo project teams in FMV – culminated with firings from a Combat Boat 90 in late 2024.