The standard torpedo prior to World War II, used by all platforms during World War II: surface combatants (Kreuzer, Zerstörer, T-Boote, S-Boote) and U-boats at night. Nicknamed "ato" by German crews (i.e. atem- or air-torpedo, indicating the steam propulsion) to distinguish it from the G7e (electric torpedoes). 44 kn speed was only used for S-Boote. According to certain sources only used from surface vessels during the last part of World War II.
TI Fat I
G7a
Wet heater
533.4 mm / 7163 mm
120hm (30 kn) / 75 hm (40 kn) / 50 hm (44 kn)
Ka (Pi1), Kc (Pi3)
Standard TI with Fat program-control type I (for security-reasons only used by night).
TI Lut I
G7a
Wet heater
533.4 mm / 7163 mm
120 hm (30 kn) / 75 hm (40 kn) / 50 hm (44 kn)
Ka (Pi1), Kc (Pi3)
Standard TI with Lut program-control type I.
TI Lut II
G7a
Wet heater
533.4 mm / 7163 mm
120hm (30kn) / 75 hm (40 kn) / 50 hm (44 kn)
Ka (Pi1), Kc (Pi3)
Standard TI with Lut program-control type II.
TIü
G7a
Wet heater
533.4 mm / 7163 mm
<120 hm (30 kn) / <75 hm (40 kn)
Exercise head only (light)
Torpedo dedicated for educational/training purposes with Schulboote at U-Flotillen. It had restricted settings on depth mechanism, a light (empty) exercise head and other minor modifications, to ensure positive buoyancy at the end of the run and reduced stress on the engine (=less damages and loss of torpedoes, i.e. achieving a higher number of shots).
Faulty pistols. Nicknamed "eto" (electric torpedo) by German crews for easy distinguishing from the G7a ("ato" air-driven torpedo). Could not be fitted with Fat or Lut due to its short range.
TIII
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (13T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
50 hm (30 kn)
Kb (Pi2)
Improved pistols and batteries (cable-guide from the battery-chamber to the warhead for powering magnetic pistols). Nicknamed "eto" (electric torpedo) by German crews for easy distinguishing from the G7a ("ato" air-driven torpedo).
TIII Fat II
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (13T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
50 hm (30 kn)
Kb (Pi2)
TIII with Fat program-control type II.
TIIIa Fat II
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (17T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
75 hm (30 kn)
Ka (Pi1), Kb (Pi2)
TIII with improved battery and Fat program-control type II.
TIIIa Lut I
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (17T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
75 hm (30 kn)
Ka (Pi1), Kb (Pi2)
TIII with improved battery and Lut program-control type I.
TIIIa Lut II
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (17T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
75 hm (30 kn)
Ka (Pi1), Kb (Pi2)
TIII with improved battery and Lut program-control type II.
TIIIb
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (13T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
40 hm (18.5 n)
Kb2 (Pi2f)
TIII with only one battery compartment to reduce weight (special adaptation for use on Marder midget submarine).
TIIIc
G7e
Electric, lead-acid (13T battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
40 hm (18.5 kn)
Kb2 (Pi2f)
Improved TIIIb (special adaptation for use on Biber, Hecht, Molch and Seehund midget submarines).
TIIId
G7e
Dackel
Electric, lead-acid (17T 210 battery)
534,6 mm / 11,000 mm
ca. 480 hm (9 kn)
Kb2 (Pi1d)
Special long-range anti-invasion torpedo with a variant of the Lut II program steering. Launched from S-Boote and barges (it saw operational use against the allied invasion-fleet in Normandy).
TIIIe
G7e
Kreuzotter
Electric, lead-acid (13T Special battery)
534,6 mm / 7163 mm
75 hm (20 kn)
Ke1 (Pi4c)
TIII specially adapted for use on Molch and Seehund midget submarines.
Acoustic homing (three different type of seekers). Nicknamed "GNAT" by the allies (acronym from "German Naval Acoustic Torpedo). Generally regarded as the best German torpedo of World War II (between 5000 and 6000 launched, with a reported hit-rate of approximately 53%, a number that was considerably reduced after post-war analysis). TV torpedoes were modified to TXI from fall 1944.
TVa
G7es
Zaunkönig
Electric, lead-acid
534,6mm / 7163 mm
80 hm (21.5 kn)
Ke1 (Pi4d)
TV specially adapted for use on S-Boote (end-of-run detonation, reduced speed, longer range and different depth-mechanism).
Ingolin (peroxide)/dekalin/helman/water fueled BO VI-turbine. Combustion-chamber arranged horizontally in the longitudinal axis. Approximately 100 torpedoes produced, but never fielded - mainly due to several problems with both pistol and start ballistics.
TVIII
G7ut
Steinbarsch
Walter turbine
534.6mm / ?mm
80hm (45kn)
Kb (Pi2), Kf (Pi6)
Development of the TVII, with different internal organisation of the various mechanisms. More than 100 torpedoes produced. Was due to be fielded in April 1945, despite several problems during testing.
TIX
G5ut
Goldbutt
Walter turbine
534.6 mm / 5490 mm
40 hm (45 kn)
"Goldfisch"-variant planned for the German "Kleinst-Uboote". As development of the U-boat ended, so did the program for the TIX.
TX
G7ef NYK
Spinne
Electric, lead-acid (13T battery)
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
50hm (30 kn)
Ka (Pi1)
Developed from the TII torpedo. Wire guided by means of visual sight from a command bunker / observation site. Intended for coastal defence and use from beach-batteries (wagenbatterie), later evolved to also include special harbour installations (molenbatterie) and mobile launchers (schiffbatterie). Only 200 torpedoes were built (gerät 43d), originally for 35 "spinne sperrbatterie" to be established on the French channel- and Mediterranean coastline from July 1944. Some batteries were also established in Belgium, and after the allied invasion in July 1944 most of the French batteries were moved to the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark (85 TX torpedoes were located in 14 Danish batteries after the war).
TXa
G7ef NYK
Spinne
Electric, lead-acid (13T battery)
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
50 hm (30kn)
Ka (Pi1)
A new version (gerät 43 cp) of the TX tested for use on midget submarines (Marder/ Molch/ Seehund) with good results. It was planned for operational use on the Seehund from August 1945.
TV with improved acoustic homing and depth mechanism. Operational. About 90 torpedoes in stock by September 1944 (a combination of new torpedoes and the ongoing upgrade of existing TV), but no certain record of usage during the war (five TXI torpedoes were recovered from the U-534, now on display in Birkenhead, UK. Four of the TXIs were picked for parts and blown up. Only one torpedo remains on display with the U-boat).
TXII
G5e
Electric, lead-acid (9T battery)
534.6mm / 5550 mm
30 hm (30 kn)
Kb (Pi2)
Short torpedo developed for the smaller type XVII coastal submarines. Was intended as a temporary solution until the ingolin-torpedoes were ready for operational use, but never fielded.
TXIII
G7ut
K-Butt
Walter turbine
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
30 hm (45 kn)
Kb2 (Pi2)
Ingolin/dekalin/helman/water fueled BO VI-turbine. Less fuel than the "Goldbutt", but 7 m length. Experimental development for the Seehund midget submarine. With sinker-mechanism. Approximately 60 torpedoes produced, planned for fielding by end of April 1945.
TXIV
G7a
Wet heater
534.6 mm (527 for airtank) / 7163 mm
25 hm (34 kn)
Kc (Pi3)
TI with changed buoyancy (max air pressure reduced from 200 to 100 kg/cm^2) developed as a replacement for TIIIc (failing batteries) for use on the Seehund midget submarine. With sinker-mechanism. Never fielded.
G7es
Lerche
Electric (13T 210 Special battery)
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
unknown
Ke1 (Pi4c, TZ5)
Development of the TV and TX with both active acoustic seeker and wire guidance. An operator in an U-boat could listen to the signal from the seeker and manually control the steering. Never fielded.
G7t
Sauerstoff-turbine
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
unknown
unknown (TZ2b, TZ5)
Experimental development of the oxygen-turbine. Dropped in favour of the ingolin-engines.
G7m
Kreismotor
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
270 hm (40 kn) / 180hm (48kn)
unknown (TZ2b, TZ6)
Experimental. Gasoline and compressed oxygen as fuel. Development was dropped in favour of the ingolin-engines.
Experimental, using two primary batteries (magnesium-carbon and zinc-leadoxide) for propulsion. It was proposed to get very good speed and range, but development ended due to lack of resources.
Experimental torpedo developed for coastal defence with a very large explosive charge and long range. Based on the TI with a 6-cylinder engine and only one speed-setting. 14 torpedoes built with 6 spare engines. Testing proved numerous "bottom-runners" due to failure of the launch and general poor quality of design and production. Two torpedoes were recovered and prepared for transport to the U.S. Ordnance Investigation Laboratory as museum pieces, but whether this was executed is doubtful.
G7es
Geier I and II
Electric
534.6 mm / 7163 mm
unknown
Active sonar homing, experimental. Similar to the TV. Development-program with Luftwaffe, which ended up going for the "Pfau" instead. Otherwise successful design, which led to planning of a further development ("Geier III").
Luftwaffe F5b LTI torpedo adapted for use on Kriegsmarine Kleinstschnellboote.
G7as
Wet heater
Acoustic homing, not fielded
G7u
Klippfisch
Wet heater Walter turbine
95 hm (40 kn)
Experimental intermediate model for the G7ut development (never planned for production). Ingolin/dekalin/Helman/Water-propulsion, using the aft-section and engine from the TI.
G7ut
Schildbutt
Walter turbine with seawater injection
140 hm (45 kn) / 180 hm (40 kn)
Experimental. Ingolin/dekalin/Helman/Water pressure-injection fueled turbine, later developed with the Steinwal-BO VI turbine.
Zaunbutt
Ingolin Walter turbine
Acoustic seeker from the TV combined with the ingolin-propulsion. Proposed shorter range than the Steinbutt, due to losing space for fuel in favour of electronics for the seeker. The project was in model-testing phase, when all plans and models were destroyed in a bombing raid. The project was not continued.
Wal / Steinwal
Ingolin Walter turbine
192 hm (45 kn)
Experimental. Ingolin/dekalin/water pumped to the motor combined with Helman pressure-conveyor (BO VI-turbine). Development nearly finished by end of the war.
G7f NY
Electric
12.5 hm (30 kn)
Experimental surface-running torpedo remotely controlled by radio (several solutions were investigated, including control from airplane and shore-based relay-stations). Hexagon-shaped hull with hydrofoil wings and rocket-propulsion.
G7m
Closed-circuit propulsion
180 hm (48 kn)
Considered as replacement for both steam and electric propulsion. Never fielded.
G7d
Oxygen-fueled wet-heater engine
120 hm (45 kn)
In early stages of development by April 1945. German oxygen-torpedo of similar design as the Japanese Type 93 'Long Lance'. Based on the G7a(TI) (reusing the airtank, the waterchamber and the enginecompartment) combined with the turbine from the G7ut. Expected to have improved performance over the TI, with almost no bubbletrack. Also it would have superior safety for handling/storage on board, as well as less loss of energy over time in storage, compared to the ingolin-torpedoes.
5 m version of the "Steinfisch". Planned torpedo for the "Spezial-Uboote", with development ending as the U-boats were never realized.
Electric, lead-acid
unknown
unknown
Two experimental torpedo models using the TIII engine, but replacing the conventional propellers with "schlagruder" (oscillating fins, similar to the tail of a whale). The hull was of an unconventional "manta" design, which had several benefits: Less drag in the water. Potential for much higher payload (a total weight of 4 tonnes using the TIII engine, compared to the 1.5 tonne total weight of the TIII). Much more stable travel compared to the traditional tube-formed torpedo hulls. One test model build.
Ackermann
unknown
unknown
unknown
Wake-homing torpedo with acoustic/pressure seeker. Only theoretic planning.
Fasan
unknown
unknown
unknown
Active acoustic-seeker with Lut-program steering. Lut program active until a ships wake is crossed/detected, upon the acoustic homing would be triggered. Only at planning-stage.
Ibis
unknown
unknown
unknown
Active wake-homing acoustic-seeker. Project was dropped in favour of the "Fasan".
Märchen
unknown
unknown
unknown
Magnetic seeker. Only theoretic planning.
Taube
unknown
unknown
unknown
Low-frequency, passive acoustic seeker. Only theoretical planning.
G7v
Wet heater
500 mm / 7083 mm
120 hm (28,5 kn)
Older torpedo developed in the early 1920s (prequel for the 21-inch G7a) which saw limited use during World War II. It was used at least until October 1944 in the Ofotfiord-batteries outside Narvik, and most likely for the rest of the war on some "schwimmende" batteries protecting the major German battleships in their bases in northern Norway.
G/250
Wet heater
450 mm / 7083 mm
60 hm (27 kn) / 25 hm (36 kn)
Older Whitehead torpedo (developed at the end of WW1), which saw limited use during World War II. For instance, it replaced older Norwegian torpedoes at two shore torpedo batteries on the west coast of Norway during the war (original torpedoes often failed due to conditions at the site, as well as a wish for an increased explosive charge).
F5
Wet heater
450 mm / 6505 mm
15 hm (45 kn)
Norwegian 45 cm torpedoes (beutewaffe) used at certain shore-based torpedo batteries in Norway, mainly the Whitehead Modell III.
Horten torpedoes
Wet heater
Various
Various
Norwegian 45 cm and 53 cm torpedoes (beutewaffe + continued production at Torpedofabrik Horten during the war): The Modell VIII, VIIIb, IX, XI and XIb.
Kriegsmarine torpedo designation system
The first letter indicates the diameter:
G = 53 cm (21 in)
F = 45 cm (17.7 in)
H = 60 cm (23.7 in)
M = 75 cm (30 in)
The number indicates the approximate length (for example, the length of the TI is 7163 mm):
7 = 7 m
6 = 6 m
5 = 5 m
Next letter(s) indicates specific features regarding propulsion and control:
a = Atem, i.e. Pressluft/Dampfgemisch-Antrieb (pressurized air/steam - "wetheater" - engine)
e = Elektrischer Antrieb (electric engine)
f = Fernlenkung (remote control by radio or cable)
d = Sauerstoff/Dampfgemisch-Antrieb (oxygen/steam engine)
p = Primärbatterie-Antrieb (primary battery propulsion)
m = Verbrennungsmaschine mit Kreislaufverfahren (combustion engine recirculating air)
u = Sauerstoffträger Ingolin spurenfreier Antrieb (oxygen/steam engine with hydrogen peroxide as source for air, and no exposing "bubbletrack")
x = Torpedo mit 3-Achsen Steuerung (3-axes control)
r = Raketen- oder Düsenantrieb (rocket- or jet propulsion)
s = Schall, Torpedo mit akustischen Suchkopf (acoustic seeker)
t = Turbinenantrieb (turbine-engine)
"r" and "t" were only used with "u" to further denote the features of the ingolin-torpedoes.
Some sources claim that "s" only was used with "a" to denote the development of G7a with acoustic seeker-capability; however, it was no doubt used for the electric torpedoes with acoustic seekers (as "es" or just "s").
When the torpedo reached production status and was fielded (i.e. for operational use), Kriegsmarine gave it a short designation "T", or "Torpedonummer", with the number given in Roman lettering (TI, TII, TIII, TIV, etc.).
For different versions of the main torpedo, a small Arabic letter was added (for example TIIId, TVa etc.) denoting changes from the main design.
Warheads
Warheads were designated with the letter "K" (K = short for Kopf, meaning "head") and a small Arabic letter, with an additional number denoting variants of the head (for instance changing the material composition from bronze to steel, adding/removing spants during the course of the war or the method of installing the explosives). Examples: Ka, Ka1, Kb, Kb1, etc.
The explosive charge of warheads in German torpedoes during WW2, were different compositions of the Schießwolle (SW) that consisted mainly of a mixture of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and Hexanitrodiphenylamin (HND):
A total of 41 different types of explosive charges were used in German underwater ordnance, all given a "S"-number (1-41) for identification (only those relevant for torpedoes are listed here):
S1 = SW 18 (solid consistency)
S2 = SW 36 (solid consistency)
S3 = SW 39 (solid consistency)
S4 = Combination of S2 and S3 (solid consistency)
S5 = Combination of S1 and S3 (solid consistency)
S16 = SW xx (described as a "lumpy" consistency)
S17 = SW 39a (solid consistency)
S18 = Combination of S16 and S17 (easy liquefiable consistency)
List of Kriegsmarine warheads with weight/type of explosive charge:
Type Ka: 295 kg/S2 (pre-WW2 head, not produced after ca 1941)
Type Ka 1: 297 kg/S3 or S4 (in service from June 1942 to August 1943)
Type Ka 2: 293 kg/S3, S4 or S18 (in service from August 1943)
Type Kb: 282 kg/S2 or S18 (in service from September 1942)
Type Kb 1: 282 kg/S18 (in service from February 1944)
Type Kc: 260 kg/S2 (in service from March 1943)
Type Kc 1: 256 kg/S2 or S18 (in service from October 1943)
Type Kc 2: 256 kg/S18 (in service from May 1944)
Type Ke: 274 kg/S2 (in service from July 1943)
Type Ke 1: 274 kg/S2 or S18 (in service from February 1944)
Type Kf: Unknown weight, but probably similar to the type Ke/S18 (in service from April 1944)
Pistols
Pistols used the "Pi" designations to begin with (Pi = short for pistole). The early models were named according to function and/or torpedo type like "PiG7H" or "PiG7A-MZ", but this was later replaced with a simple system of numbers, like "Pi1", "Pi2" etc.
To indicate variants within the main design, a small Latin letter was added after the number, like "Pi1a", "Pi1b" etc.
At some point, "Pi" was dropped for pistols with combination of mechanical (direct hit) and magnetic (influence) mechanisms, to the "TZ" designation (TZ = Torpedo-Zündeinrichtung). For example, the mechanical mechanism from the "Pi1" pistol combined with the magnetic mechanism from "Pi2" became the "TZ2".
The main booster charge used in German pistols was Pentrite, typically 300 g.
The following torpedopistols reached operational status with Kriegsmarine during WW2:
Pi G7A-AZ: Mechanical igniter with short whiskers (replaced by Pi1)
Pi G7A-MZ: Combined mechanical and (faulty) magnetic igniter (replaced by Pi2)
Pi Typ 3F (later renamed Pi40): Copy of the British Type 3F pistol
Pi G7H (later renamed Pi1): Mechanical igniter - most common pistol used besides Pi2
Pi1a: Pi1 with netcutter
Pi1b: Mechanical igniter with pendulum, rather than whiskers (not successful)
Pi1c: Improved Pi1a
Pi1d: Special version of the Pi1c for the TIIId "Dackel" torpedo (waterflap-safety replaced by a manually pulled safetypin, due to the torpedo's extremely low speed)
Pi2: Mechanical igniter from Pi1 with an additional magnetic igniter
Pi2a: Pi2 with netcutter
Pi2c: Special variant of the Pi2a with its own battery for the low-speed TIIIb torpedo
Pi2d: Improved variant of the Pi2c for torpedoes with low speed (TIIIb and TIIIc)
Pi2e: Variant of the Pi2a with pendulum for the mechanical igniter, used for TIIIb and TIIIc torpedoes
Pi2f: Variant of the Pi2d for low-speed TIIIb and TIIIc torpedoes
Pi2 EDS: Pi2 with "endstreckendetonierersicherung" - a feature to ensure the torpedo did not detonate if missing the target
TZ2: Combination of Pi1 and Pi2 used for torpedoes with low speeds below 30kn
Pi3: Italian pistol - similar in function to the Pi2, but a different construction
Pi3a: Variant of the Pi3, similar to the Pi1a
Pi3c: Pi3 with netcutter
PiSic (later renamed TZ3): Italian-constructed passive magnetic igniter combined with the mechanical igniter from the Pi3. Only used for G7a(TI) and G7a(TXIV)
TZ3a: Improved German variant of the PiSic.
TZ3b: TZ3a with improved induction-coil for the magnetic igniter
Pi4: New pistol for heads with front-mounted acoustic seeker – i.e. the TIV, TV and TIX (mounted on top of the head with a pendoulum-based mechanical igniter and a separate active magnetic igniter)
Pi4a: Pi4 with improved mechanical igniter
Pi4b (also designated Pi DWK): New design of the mechanical igniter by Deutsche Werke Kiel (hence "DKW")
Pi4c: Mechanical (pendolum) igniter (only used in the TZ5).
Pi4c EDS (later renamed Pi4e): Pi4c with the EDS-function from the Pi2 EDS
Pi4d SZE: Pi4c with "selbstzerstörungseinrichtung" - a function to ensure that the torpedo would detonate after missing a target, i.e. the opposite of EDS
Pi5 (later renamed TZ5): Combination of Pi4c and a new active magnetic igniter (sender in head, receiver in tail)
Pi6: New pistol ready for operational use with the TVI and TVII (ingolin) torpedoes. Based on the Pi3
Pi6a: Pi6 improved with parts of the Pi1a
TZ6: Mechanical igniter from the Pi6 and a new active magnetic igniter (sender in head, receiver in tail)
Code names
Code names were intended to be used only through the development period for security measures. However, in some cases they remained after the torpedo was fielded and had been designated with a "T"-number.
Torpedo pistols, program seeker-systems and other special arrangements also had their own "system" of code names, using the names of birds, fish or animals (for example Pi "Leuchtfisch", GA "Specht", seeker "Storch", control "Viper", target detector "Salamander" etc.). During development, the pistols were often given code names designated by the industrial developer or manufacturer. Generally, these consisted of simple words, syllables, or names associated with the firm or the engineers in charge of the pistol's development (for example Pi "Otto", Pi "Atlas", Pi "Berlin" etc.).
Program steering
Program steering was accomplished by a mechanical device ("Federapparat") coupled to the torpedo's gyroscope to alter its course in various pattern. Two main types was fielded during WW2: "Fat" and "Lut".
Fat ("Flächenabsuchender Torpedo"): Changed the torpedo's course over time so that it ran various patterns. Three versions: Fat I, II and III (Fat III was later redesignated Lut I).
Lut ("Lageunabhängiger Torpedo"): Similar to Fat, but changed the torpedo's course to a preset heading directly after launch, so the launching platform could fire torpedoes at targets without changing its own course. Two versions: Lut I and Lut II (+ a special Lut I variant for the TIIId torpedo with a very long initial straight run of 36000 m).
The Fat or Lut mechanisms initiated control of the gyroscope after an initial (preset) straight running distance.
Fat I ("S-shaped" loop-patterns):
The initial straight distance could be set from a minimum of 500 m to a maximum of 1500 m.
Two loop-patterns were available: "short" and "long", and in addition, there was a choice of right or left turns (i.e. a total of 5 settings on the Fat-mechanism).
For "short" loops, the straight distance between turns was 800 m, with a total width of the pattern-search of 1140 m
For "long" loops, the straight distance between turns was 1500 m, and a total width of the pattern-search of 1840 m.
The turning radius for both patterns was 170 m.
Fat II ("S-shaped loops or circular patterns):
The same as Fat I, but with an additional choice for "circular pattern", where the torpedo would run in a circle after the initial straight-run. This was an option primarily used by U-boats against attacking surface-ships that ran a zig-zag pattern hunting the U-boat (the goal was to locate the torpedo's circle-run just ahead of the attacking ship, hoping for a "lucky" hit).
Fat III / Lut I ("zig-zag" pattern):
Initial torpedo course could be chosen, so the torpedo platform did not need to change its bearing to an optimal course for torpedo launch.
The "Lut-speed" (i.e. the resulting advance-speed of the torpedo, considering the zig-zag pattern) could be chosen, and subsequently, the straight legs between turns would be adjusted accordingly.
Lut II:
Same as Lut I, but even slower Lut-speeds could be chosen.
List of World War II Luftwaffe torpedoes
Designation
Codename
Propulsion
Dimensions, dia./length
Range (speed)
Warhead (pistol)
Notes
Lw#
Type
F5
Wet heater
450mm / 5550mm
30hm (33kn)
unknown
Copy of the Norwegian F1 "Horten" torpedo. Limited drop-parametres (75kn airspeed/15-20m height)
LT I
F5a
Wet heater
450mm / 5550mm
26hm (33kn)
unknown
German development of the Norwegian F1 "Horten" torpedo. Improved drop-parametres (140kn airspeed/50m height)
LT I A
F5b
Wet heater
449,6mm / 5490mm
30hm (40kn)
unknown
Improved version of the F5a (increased capacity air tank and higher performance engine).
Active sonar homing, experimental. Similar to the Kriegsmarine TV. Development program with Kriegsmarine, but Luftwaffe ended up going for the "Pfau" instead.
Geier III
unknown
unknown
unknown
Proposed development of the Geier II with system for enhancing and comparing the hydrophone echoes. Only reached planning phase.
F5i
Wet heater
450mm / 5250mm
30hm (40kn)
unknown
Italian standard aerial torpedo (unknown how much usage by Luftwaffe).
F5w
Wet heater
450mm / 5460mm
30hm (40kn)
unknown
Italian Whitehead torpedo. Standard torpedo in use by Luftwaffe alongside the LT I A1.
LT 280
Electric
500mm / 2600mm
120hm (4-14kn)
unknown
Italian light torpedo.
LT 350
Electric
ellipse-shaped hull 500mm / 2600mm
150hm (4-14kn)
unknown
Italian parachute-torpedo. Dropped from a height of 100m. It ran autonomously irregular search-patterns within a 1000x800m box for about one hour with speed decreasing from 14 to 4kn.
LT 850
Wet heater
450mm / 5470mm
20hm (42kn)
unknown
German designation for the successful Japanese airdropped Type 91 Mod 2 torpedo, using Japanese-devised pneumatic PID controller for roll stabilization. 70 torpedoes were delivered (it is not known which IJN sub delivered them), but none were used operationally. Intended weight of 810 kg (1,786 lb) complete for deployment.
LT 1000a
Ingolin turbine-engine
ellipse-shaped hull (390x200mm) / 5000mm
unknown (40kn)
unknown
Never finished testing (development-program ended due to limited resources).
LT 1000b
Ingolin turbine-engine
ellipse-shaped hull (460x800mm) / 5398mm
unknown (40kn)
unknown
A variant with altered tailsection/rudders.
LT 950
F5b
Wet heater
450mm / 5360mm
30hm (40kn)
unknown
"Flugeltorpedo": F5b equipped with glider-attachment (wings and rudders). Experimental (several variants), not fielded. A maximum range of 2300m glidepath when dropped from a height of 800m were obtained during testing.
LT 9,2
F5b
Frosch
Wet heater
450mm / 5100mm
unknown
unknown
A variant of the "flugeltorpedo" that was not pursued in favour of the LT950C.
LT 950C (L10 flugelantrieb)
F5b
Friedensengel
Wet heater
450mm / 5100mm
90hm
unknown
The final variant of the "flugeltorpedo".
LT 1200A
Ingolin rocket-engine (HWK)
450mm / 5200mm
22hm (40kn)
unknown
Development ended due to the torpedo being too heavy and having too short a range (weight: 815 kg).
LT 1200B
Ingolin rocket-engine (HWK)
533,4mm / 7000mm
50hm (35kn)
unknown
Development ended due to the torpedo being too heavy and having too short a range (weight: 1200 kg).
LT 1500 Turbinen-antrieb
Ingolin turbine-engine (HWK/CPVA)
533,4mm / 7050mm
35hm (40kn)
unknown
Improved version of the LT 1200, but similar the development ended due to the torpedo being too heavy and having too short a range (weight: 1520 kg).
LT 1500 Raketen-antrieb
Ingolin rocket-engine (HWK/CPVA)
533,4mm / 7050mm
unknown
unknown
LT 1500 variant with rocket-engine.
Luftwaffe torpedo designation system
As a general rule, Luftwaffe followed the Kriegsmarine system of code names and designations, but with some differences.
Variations for the letter(s) indicating specific features regarding propulsion and control:
b = Pressluft/Dampfgemisch-Antrieb (pressurized air/steam engine)
i and w = Italian-built torpedoes by the firms Silvrificio Italiano S/A (Naples) and Whitehead (Fiume) respectively.
Instead of letters and numbers denoting dimensions and features, a single 3 or 4 digit number was used for some torpedo designs.
Luftwaffe used the "LT" designation (= Lufttorpedo), but not limited to operational torpedoes. It also combined further letters and numbers to indicate type and features of the torpedo:
I = Pressluft/Dampfgemisch-Antrieb (pressurized air/steam engine)
II = Ingolin-Antrieb (use of hydrogen-peroxide as oxygen carrier)
A = Tiefen- und Winkeleinstellung von Hand (manual setting of depth and steering)
B = Elektrische Tiefen- und Winkeleinstellung (electric setting of depth and steering, i.e. possible to change in flight)
C = Programmsteuerung (program steering)
1 = Speed of 40kn
2 = Speed of 33kn
3 = Speed of 24kn
Warheads
Luftwaffe warheads were designated GK (= Gefechtskopf) followed by a number and a small Arabic letter for variants. Exerciseheads was designated ÜK (= Übungskopf).
The various types of explosives are described under the section of Kriegsmarine warheads above.
Operational warheads (weight/type of explosive charge):
GK 1: 200 kg/S3
GK 2: 180 kg/S3
GK 2a: 240 kg/S3
GK 3: 188 kg/S17
GK 3a: 250 kg/S17
Warheads in various state of development/test and production by end of the war (weight/type of explosive charge):
GK 4: 230 kg/S18
GK 4a: 220 kg/S18
GK 5: 175 kg/S18
GK 6: 180 kg/S3
GK 9: 165 kg/S18
GK 50: 300 kg/S18
Pistols
Designations for Luftwaffe pistols used the same system as Kriegsmarine.
The following torpedopistols reached operational status with Luftwaffe during WW2:
Pi F5: Nose-mounted Luftwaffe adaption of the Kriegsmarine mechanical Pi G7A-AZ pistol (similar design with a reduced physical size)
Pi 30: Pi F5 with connector for activation by an additional top-mounted magnetich mechanism
Pi 42s: Nose-mounted mechanic mechanism in a Pi F5 housing without detonation-arms/whiskers. Used in combination with the Pi 50-series top-mounted magnetic pistols
Pi 42s (e1): Pi 42s with electrical detonators, and an electric armingswitch controlled by the magnetic top-mounted Pi 52 magnetic pistol
Pi 45: Pi 42s with an inertia (pendolum) mechanism and electric detonators. Used with (and activated by) the Pi 52 or Pi 65 top-mounted magnetic mechanisms.
Pi 50: Italian top-mounted SIC combined mechanical/magnetic pistol. Used for LT IA and LT IB torpedoes. Similar design as the Kriegsmarine TZ 3.
Pi 51: German produced magnetic version of the Italian SIC-pistol. Acted as a magnetic sensor and when activated, triggered the electric detonators in the nose-mounted mechanichal mechanism (Pi 30 or Pi 42s)
Pi 52 (Pi Wien): Improved Pi 51 (ready, but never used before the war ended)
Pi 52a: Improved Pi 52 for use in warheads with nose-mounted acoustic-seeker (ready, but never used before the war ended)
Pi 52b: Adaption of the Pi 52 for use with Bombentorpedo (BT) (ready, but never used as the Bombentorpedoes never became operational)
Pi 60: Active top-mounted magnetic mechanism, developed from the Kriegsmarine TZ 6. Used with the nose-mounted Pi 30
Pi 65: Luftwaffe-adaption of the Kriegsmarine top-mounted TZ 5, for use with the "Pfau" and "Geier" torpedoes (active magnetic-mechanism) in combination with the nose-mounted Pi 45. Ready, but never used as the torpedoes were never fielded
Bombentorpedoes
Luftwaffe also developed a passive weapon called "Bombentorpedo" (BT), which was planned to replace the conventional torpedoes.
It was airdropped from a low height and relative short distance from the target, would enter the water and travel the short remaining distance solely driven by its kinetic energy. No BT's were ever fielded operationally.
Designation
Weight
Dimensions, dia. / length
Charge
Notes
BT200
220 kg
300mm / 2395mm
100 kg
BT400
435 kg
378mm / 2946mm
200 kg
BT700A
780 kg
426mm / 3500mm
330 kg
BT700B
755 kg
456mm / 3358mm
320 kg
BT1000
1180 kg
480mm / 4240mm
710 kg
Variant fitted with a rocket-engine, but the design was not successful.
BT1400
1510 kg
620mm / 4560mm
920 kg
BT1850
1923 kg
620mm / 4690mm
1050 kg
German torpedo platforms (Torpedoträger)
Kriegsmarine
Submarines (U-Boote)
Motor torpedo boats (S-Boote - Schnellboote or E-Boats as designated by the Royal Navy)
Various temporary torpedo batteries were established at strategic locations for a period of time - (for instance as a substitute until a more permanent battery was established, or as a temporary defence for an improvised naval base etc.). These batteries varied from single to multiple tube launchers placed on quay/pier/suitable spot-on-the-ground or on small anchored boats/barges (schwimmende Batterie). An S-Boot anchored in fixed locations with its bow (and thus its torpedo tubes) facing one direction could also serve in this role. Typical armament for shore-based and temporary batteries were tubes from dismantled surface vessels (533mm Zwilling-, Drilling- or Vierling-Rohrsätze), Beutewaffe - i.e. tubes/torpedoes captured from the enemy, or older equipment from World War I.
Luftwaffe
Various aircraft designed for/configured as torpedo carriers:
Heinkel He 59: Obsolete, only in service from 1937 to ca 1940 (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Arado Ar 95 A: Limited number intended as a carrier-based torpedobomber, but was obsolete by 1940 (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Arado Ar 195: Intended as a carrier-based torpedobomber, only a few prototypes used for testing in competition with the Fi 176, never used operationally (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Fieseler Fi 167 A: Intended as a carrier-based torpedobomber, only a pre-production series built and tested towards the Ar 195 (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Dornier Do 22: A few produced for export, never used by Luftwaffe (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Blohm & Voss Ha 140: Only a few prototypes used for testing in competition with the He 115 (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Heinkel He 115: Luftwaffe's first modern torpedobomber. In service from 1940 to 1942 (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Junkers Ju 87 C: Experimental torpedobomber intended for carrier-operations. Never used operationally (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Heinkel 111 J: Only a few built for torpedo trials in 1938, but ended up being used for reconnaissance (capacity: 2 torpedoes)
Heinkel 111 H: The main standard German torpedobomber, in service from 1941 and throughout WW2 (capacity: 2 torpedoes)
Junkers Ju 88 A: Standard German torpedobomber together with the He 111 H, in service from 1942 and throughout WW2 (capacity: 2 torpedoes)
Junkers 188 E: Standard German torpedobomber introduced to service in 1944 (capacity: 2 torpedoes)
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C: Experimental torpedobomber, only used for one operation in 1941 (capacity: 2 or 4 torpedoes)
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A: Experimental torpedobomber tested in 1943. Never used operationally (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 F: Experimental torpedobomber tested in 1943. Never used operationally (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Heinkel 177 A-5: Experimental torpedobomber. Never used operationally (capacity: 2 or 4 torpedoes)
Heinkel 177 R-6: Experimental torpedobomber. Never used operationally (capacity: 2 or 4 torpedoes)
Messerschmitt Me 410 B: Experimental torpedobomber tested in 1944. Never used operationally (capacity: 1 torpedo)
Dornier Do 217 E: Planned/experimental torpedobomber intended for use with new torpedodesigns in development with advanced controls. Never used operationally (capacity: 2 or 4 torpedoes)
Dornier Do 217 K: Planned/experimental torpedobomber intended for use with new torpedodesigns in development with advanced controls. Never used operationally (capacity: 2 or 4 torpedoes)
Dornier Do 217 M: Planned/experimental torpedobomber intended for use with new torpedodesigns in development with advanced controls. Never used operationally (capacity: 2 or 4 torpedoes)
Fokker T.VIII W: Dutch torpedobomber. Beutewaffe never used operationally as torpedobomber by Luftwaffe (capacity: 1 torpedo)
References
Bundesmarine: Deutsche Unterwasserwaffen - Torpedos, 1967 (German translation of U.S. Navy Ordnance Pamphlet 1673B)
Bundesmarine: Torpedo Zünder der Deutschen Marine von 1914 bis 1968 mit historischen Rückblick Band 1, ca 1975
Torpedo Versuch Anstalt Eckernförde (TVA/E): Short survey of the course of Torpedo Development from T1 to the newest types, 1946 (post-war report for the Royal Navy)
Royal Navy: B.R.1972 German torpedoes and development of German torpedo control, 1952
Combined Intelligence Objectives Subcommittee: Evaluation Report 167: Details of Contents of Microfilm on Captured Documents Pertaining to German Torpedo Developments, 1945
Wehrmacht/Kriegsmarine: Technische Dienstvorschrift Nr. 194 Torpedo-Kopf-Pistolen-Tabelle, 1944
Wehrmacht/Kriegsmarine: Various torpedo handbooks and regulations (Marine-Dienstvorschriften)
Wehrmacht/Luftwaffe: Various torpedo handbooks and regulations (Luftwaffen-Dienstvorschriften)
Wehrmacht/Kriegsmarine/Torpedoinspektion/Chemisch-Physikalische Versuchsanstalt der Marine: "Einführung in das Unterwasser-Sprengwesen" Band 1, 1945
U.S. Navy Ordnance Pamphlet 1666 German Explosive Ordnance Volume 1, 1946
Eberhard Rössler: Die Torpedos der deutschen U-Boote (2.ed), 2005 (ISBN3-8132-0842-7)
Friedrich Lauck: Der Lufttorpedo - Entwicklung und Technik in Deutschland 1915-1945, 1981 (ISBN3-7637-5230-7)
Harold Thiele: Luftwaffe Aerial Torpedo Aircraft and Operations in World War Two, 2004 (ISBN1 902109 42 2)
Fritz Hahn: Deutsche Geheimwaffen 1939-1945 - Flugzeugbewaffnungen, 1963
David H Wright: Thesis on German torpedo crisis in WW2, 2004
Numerous allied reports and captured German documents from Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe, kept at various archival-institutions and museums. Primary sources: The US National Archives/NARA (mainly Record Group 38 and Record Group 242/publication T-1022), the British National Archives/TNA (mainly Royal Navy Admiralty record-groups 213, 290 and 292), the German National Archives/Ba, the Norwegian National Archives/RA and the Norwegian Naval Museum/MMU.
