Developers of the Naval Academy named after Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union N.G. Kuznetsov have proposed a new tactic that reduces the risk for anti-submarine helicopters when attacking submarines with anti-aircraft weapons. The solution has already been registered in the database of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (FIPS).
The problem arose after submarines acquired anti-aircraft missiles. The classic scheme requires the aircraft to go directly to the target before dropping the torpedo. At that moment, the aircraft enters the affected area. However, the new methodology changes the geometry of the attack.
In the target area, aviation drops search equipment in advance — radio-hydroacoustic buoys and reactive sound sources of increased range. They clarify the coordinates of the submarine and transmit the data to the crew. Next, the helicopter builds a course so that the bearing on the target is constantly changing. The machine passes by, not moving directly at the boat.
The torpedo drop point is chosen at a distance of at least 2 km. After landing, the torpedo goes to the target under remote control via a radio-hydroacoustic buoy and a cable line. The crew controls the trajectory and adjusts it if necessary.
The main anti-submarine helicopter in service with the Russian Navy is the Ka-27PL. The rotorcraft is equipped with a search radar station, a lowered hydroacoustic station and magnetic anomaly detectors.
In a special cargo compartment, the Ka-27PL can carry AT-1M and UMGT-1 Orlan anti-submarine torpedoes, APR-2 Yastreb-M guided missiles, or up to 8 depth charges.