Type 54 model 3 (533 mm)
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Contents
[hide]Description
The Type 54 Model 3 was the third iteration of the first domestically designed Japanese post-Second World War torpedo. Introduced in 1960, this torpedo featured a fully electric propulsion system with a range of 6,000 m at 24 knots, leaving no trace of bubbles on the surface. It was equipped with a three-dimensional passive acoustic homing device, allowing it to track both surface targets and submarines alike, and carried a high-explosive warhead containing 100 kg of TNT. However, in battles, the Type 54 lacked effective guidance, behaving similarly to the Model 1—a prototype introduced in 1954 that lacked any guidance package and was originally intended as a cheaper version for motor torpedo boats but was never adopted into service.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
The Type 54 Model 3 has features typical of early Cold War anti-submarine torpedoes, including a limited range, a small warhead, and low speed. Instead, it focuses on increasingly advanced guidance systems, which are not represented in the game at this time.
Effective damage
Torpedo has only a 100 kg TNT warhead, making it very easy to survive by any larger vessel. Damage is located to a small area, so unless it hits the magazine or the vessel already had a depleted crew count, the vessel will remain afloat after a direct hit. This necessitates multiple torpedoes to be used against a single target in order to effectively destroy it.
Comparison with analogues
Type 54 has one of the lowest speeds among torpedoes from all eras, while offering an average range and a relatively small warhead. The closest peer would be the British Mk.20 Bidder, which trades even smaller warhead and lower speed for nearly double the range.
Usage in battles
The Type 54 is best used in very close proximity to the targets, preferably within 2 kilometres. Its exceptionally low speed makes it highly likely that the target will evade it, even if it sustains damage to the engines, transmission, or propeller shafts. Against larger targets, such as cruisers or battleships, it is advisable to launch as many torpedoes as possible simultaneously, as they are unlikely to cause sufficient flooding to ensure the vessel's sinking. Additionally, ships equipped with torpedo bulges are entirely immune to the 100 kg warhead.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Usable range
Cons:
- Extremely low speed
- Very small warhead, survivable even by frigates
History
Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- L3 (French equivalent)
- Mark 20 Bidder (British equivalent)
- Mark 35 (US equivalent)
- SET-53M (USSR equivalent)
External links
- [NavWeaps] Torpedoes of Japan: Post-World War II
- [Wikipedia] Japanese 53 cm torpedo#Type 54
- [Wikipedia.ja] Type 54 Torpedo
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