Torpedo to target

The weight of the task in the first phase rests on the shoulders of the hydroacoustics, while they work at the Combat Information Centre. This is the space from which combat systems are managed – the brain of the ship. Only a fewer have access to it. 2 sonars are utilized to search for submarines – podkilowy and towed. The tracking itself can besides take place in 2 ways. In the active version, the device sends an acoustic signal that reflects from the obstacle and returns to the receiver. And taking into account the time it took him and the velocity of sound distribution in the water, specialists are able to find the position of the object. There is besides a passive method, which simply consists in collecting and analyzing sounds spreading below the surface. The data collected in this way is processed, and on the basis of this, seafarers make data for the attack. Of course, if they can confirm that an enemy submarine actually operates in the vicinity of the frigate...

During the exercises we have the chance to observe, that is what happens. Eventually, the frigate commander gives the order for torpedo strike. So we're going to the left side, where the last preparations are going. A torpedo was already loaded into 1 of the launchers. It's surrounded by sailors from the weapons department. The safety deck of the rails is removed from the side. After a while, the launcher rotates so that its outlet is directed towards the sea. – Now step aside, or we will unscrew the compressed air – 1 of the sailors throws. The end of the metallic tube is connected to the tank on board. The clock tip on the control board goes up. Finally, everything is buttoned up. Now all it takes is to wait for the signal. ‘Underwater object on port side. Attack!” – it comes at erstwhile from the speaker. Commencing countdown. The next fewer seconds are highly long. Then for a while there is silence. Eventually, the compressed air is released and pushes the torpedo out of the launcher with tremendous force. A bullet bursts into the sea with a bang. For a fewer more moments, we see a dark outline of its form underwater. A fewer 100 meters further, a peculiar balloon pulls a torpedo to the surface.

– During the exercise we usage the school-training version of the MU-90 torpedo, which descends to a depth of 20 m, then emerges and drifts freely. This 1 is about to be fished out by the accompanying unit – explained Mr Tomasz Teległów, commander of the ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski". A fewer 100 metres further is the ORP rescue boat "Maćko" which did not leave the frigate. It's approaching a projectile floating on the surface. A fewer minutes later, a boat leaves the unit, and the sailors in it tow the rocket to the side. Soon, he will remainder on board “Maćka” and return to Gdynia port. Having reusable training torpedoes allows the navy to make considerable savings. They besides let sailors from the frigate to train 1 of the most crucial elements of their craft regularly. “We conduct akin training respective times a year,” Mr Teległów admits.

And all to make the crew ready to fight 1 of the hardest opponents you can imagine. The submarine can decision into any area and attack selected targets utilizing torpedoes, or – increasingly – maneuvering rockets. His presence alone, though, is suspected of operating secretly on a given watershed, could destabilize shipping. - meantime Baltic, although shallow, due to its circumstantial hydrology favors submarines. They are comparatively hard to track here, says the commander of “Pułaski”. Therefore, the forces of the ZOP exercise procedures related to this on all possible occasion.

Two frigates of the Olivier Hazard Perry kind are liable for combating ships in the Polish navy, as well as the Orp Corvette “Kashub”. Until recently, they were assisted by Mi-14PŁ and SH-2G helicopters. However, the machines this year were withdrawn from the line. The ZOP forces will strengthen the AW101 helicopters. Poland bought 4 specified machines. They are all stationed at the 44th Naval Aviation Base in Darłów. They'll be operational soon. The most modern weaponry against submarines remains MU-90 torpedoes. In the combat version, they can harm targets over a twelve kilometres and scope a depth of up to a 1000 metres.