Type 54 model 3 (533 mm)

Type 54 model 3 (533 mm) torpedo

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

• Isuzu
• JDS Ayanami (DD-103)
• PT-802
• PT-808

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.

Name	Country of origin	Diameter (mm)	Mass (kg)	Explosive type	TNT equivalent (kg)	Max speed (km/h)	Max range (km)
12.75 inch Mark 44		324	235	HBX	54.4	56	5.49
12.75 inch Mark 46		324	235	TNT	44.5	91	7.30
18 inch Mark XII		450	702	TNT	176	74	1.37
18 inch Mark XV		450	817	Torpex	395.2	61	3.20
18 inch Type 38 No.2 B		450	663	Shimose	104.5	59	2.00
18-inch Mk.7		450	720	TNT	93	59	3.65
21 in Mk.8		533	1,252	TNT	146	50	9.14
21 inch Mark I		533	1,270	TNT	102	56	11.00
21 inch Mk.20 Bidder		533	821	TNT	89	37	11.00
21 inch Type 43 (1910)		533	1,187	Shimose	143	50	8.00
45-36NU		450	951	TNT	200	76	4.00
53-38		533	1,615	TNT	300	82	4.00
53-39		533	1,780	TNT	317	94	4.00
53-56		533	2,000	TNT	400	93	8.00
53-57		533	2,000	TNT	306	83	18.00
53-65		533	2,070	TNT	300	126	12.00
Bliss-Leavitt Mk.1		533	680	TNT	91	50	3.66
C/06D		450	810	TNT	122.6	50	5.90
G6c		533	1,008	TNT	160	50	5.00
G7		500	1,365	TNT	249.6	69	4.00
G7a		533	1,528	SW39a	358.4	81	6.00
H/8		600	2,160	SW39a	268.8	67	6.00
LT 1A/1		450	812	TNT	250	74	2.00
Mark 35		533	803	Torpex	196	50	13.71
Mk.8-3 C/D		533	1,373	TNT	174.2	50	12.35
Mk.13		569	884	TNT	178	56	5.21
Mk.15		533	1,559	TNT	224	83	5.50
Mk.16		533	1,766	Torpex	915.2	85	6.40
Mk.IV		533	1,454	TNT	234	65	7.30
Mk.IX		533	1,693	TNT	340	67	9.60
Mk.IX**		533	1,693	Torpex	587.2	76	10.00
Mk.V		533	1,736	TNT	305	74	4.57
Mk.VIII		533	1,566	TNT	327	84	4.57
1909R		450	716	TNT	144	61	2.00
Model 1919V		550	1,358	Picric acid	261.8	80	2.00
Model 1923DT		550	2,100	TNT	308	72	9.00
1926V		400	674	TNT	144	81	2.00
L3		550	910	TNT	200	46	5.00
Pattern 1910		450	665	TNT	100	54	3.00
Pattern 1912		450	810	TNT	100	80	2.00
R.G.F. Mark VI**		450	700	TNT	134	56	5.49
S.I.170/450X5,25		450	860	TNT	170	76	4.00
S.I.270		533	1,715	TNT	270	74	4.00
S.I. 250/533,4X7,5 Tipo A		533	1,781	TNT	250	76	4.00
S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo I		533	1,700	TNT	270	89	4.00
S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo M		533	1,715	TNT	270	93	4.00
S.I. 270/533X6.84 Tipo L		533	1,700	TNT	270	93	4.00
Seal DM2A1		533	1,370	TNT	250	61	20.00
SET-40		400	550	TNT	80	54	8.00
SET-53M		533	1,480	TNT	100	54	14.00
SET-65		533	1,740	TNT	205	74	16.00
SET-72		400	730	TNT	80	74	8.00
Type 2		450	1,000	Type 97	448	72	3.00
Type 6		533	1,432	Shimose	223.3	65	7.00
Type 8 No.2		610	2,362	Shimose	380.6	70	10.00
Type 43		450	663	Shimose	104.5	48	5.00
Type 44 No.2		450	750	Shimose	121	65	4.00
Type 54 model 3		533	1,600	TNT	100	44	6.00
Type 72 mod.1		533	1,760	TNT	300	120	10.00
Type 89		533	1,660	Type 97	384	83	5.50
Type 90		610	2,540	Type 97	480	85	7.00
Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2		610	2,700	Type 97	627.2	91	20.00
Type 93 Model 3		610	2,800	Type 97	998.4	91	15.00
W.200/450X5,75		450	930	TNT	200	81	3.00
Whitehead A 110/450		450	936	TNT	110	56	4.00

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