FORCETALLY
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At a glance
Black Shark torpedolarger figure on 2 of 3
VA-111 Shkvallarger figure on 1 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
Measured figures
Maximum; unclassified
Single source50 knots (93 km/h) (unclassified)[source]
Maximum; Launch speed
Single sourceMaximum; Launch speed Maximum speed: in excess of
Single sourceMaximum; Maximum speed
Single sourceMaximum; Maximum speed or greater
Single sourceLaunch speed: 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) Maximum speed: in excess of 200 knots (370 km/h; 230 mph)[source]
Launch speed: 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) Maximum speed: 200 knots (370 km/h; 230 mph) or greater[source]
Effective; Effective firing range
Single source50 km (27 nmi)[source]
Effective; Effective firing range
Single sourceAround (new version). Older versions only
Single sourceEffective; Shkval Shkval 2 : From
Single sourceRange
Single sourceShkval : 7 km (4.3 mi) Shkval 2 : From 11–15 km (6.8–9.3 mi)[source]
Around 11–15 km (6.8–9.3 mi) (new version). Older versions only 7 km (4.3 mi)[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
Configuration
| Specification | Black Shark torpedo | VA-111 Shkval |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Heavyweight dual-purpose ASW and ASuW torpedo[source] | Supercavitating torpedo[source] |
| Place of origin | Italy[source] | Soviet Union[source] |
| In service | BlackShark: 2004–present BlackShark Advanced: 2018-present[source] | 1977–present[source] |
| Used by | See operators[source] | Russian Navy and Iranian Navy[source] |
| Designed | BlackShark Advanced: 2010-18[source] | 1960s–70s[source] |
| Manufacturer | WASS Submarine Systems , a subsidiary of Leonardo[source] | Tactical Missiles Corporation[source] |
| Warhead | High explosive STANAG 4439 and MURAT-2 compliant[source] | Conventional explosive or nuclear[source] |
| Detonation mechanism | Various[source] | — |
| Engine | Contra-rotating direct-drive brushless motor[source] | Solid-fuel rocket[source] |
| Propellant | BlackShark: Al-AgO battery BlackShark Advanced: lithium-polymer rechargeable battery[source] | Solid-fuel[source] |
| Launch platform | Submarine[source] | 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes[source] |
| Role | heavyweight torpedo[source] | — |
| Source measurement | The Black Shark torpedo offers fiberoptic wire for increased bandwidth and signal processing ability compared to copper wire -guided torpedo types. The sonar capability include non-doppler shifted target discrimination and multi-frequency capability that features advanced spatial and angular analysis abilities. The design goal for the torpedo was 300% improvement of passive acquisition and 200% active acquisition with its sonar system. The brushless motor design coupled with the aluminum-silver oxide (Al-AgO) battery gives the system a top speed 50+ knots (93+ km/h; 58+ mph), and a range of 50 km (27 nmi; 31 mi), performance envelope. Like all other battery powered HWTs, the battery power system does not suffer the loss of performance of Otto fuel II types at greater depths since there is no exhaust to deal with at greater pressures. The result is a 150% improvement in speed and 200% in torpedo endurance.[source]Black Shark torpedo · Features; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | — |
| Country of origin | Italy[source]Inventory Origin column; table 2, row 12, cell 5; revision 1376299441; retrieved 2026-10-01 | — |
| Designer | — | NII-24 research institute[source] |
| Produced | — | 1977–present[source] |
| Variants | — | Shkval 2, Shkval-E[source] |
| Guidance system | — | GOLIS autonomous inertial guidance[source] |
| Reported operators | — |
|