Shark (manned torpedo)

Torpedo weapon shark

Simplified representation of the shark with the torpedo attached

Ship data flag  German Empire Ship type Manned torpedo

Ship dimensions and crew length 18.0 m ( Lüa ) width 0.5 m displacement 5.2 t   crew 1

Machine system machine AEG-AV electric motor Machine performance 17 HP (13 kW) Top speed 5.5 kn (10 km / h)

Mission data submarine Radius of action 90 nm Dive time 10 min

The manned torpedo shark was a single prototype of the German navy , developed towards the end of World War II . He belonged to the small combat units of the Navy .

Development history

The shark was discovered by Dr. Cornelius designed in the spring of 1945 as a "one-way device". The shark was not a completely new development, but a further development of the marten . It was, as it were, an extra-long marten , consisting of a bow and a stern section with two intermediate torpedo sections in between. A hanging torpedo G7 was attached under the fuselage .

Thanks to further technical developments, the battery capacity has been doubled compared to the predecessor. This allowed the shark a slightly higher speed and greater range. In addition, the shark had an additional depth rudder for brief diving and the hare search device . After completion of the prototype, it was extensively tested until May 8, 1945.

Until the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht , however, it was agreed that the shark was difficult to maneuver due to its length and was not very seaworthy. There was no series production. The prototype was destroyed at the end of the war so as not to let it fall into enemy hands.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Harald Fock: Naval small weapons. Manned torpedoes, small submarines, small speedboats, explosives yesterday - today - tomorrow. Nikol, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-930656-34-5 , pp. 36-37.