WASS sets out goal for Flash Black torpedo

Finmeccanica's underwater systems group Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS) is looking to begin testing of its new Flash Black lightweight torpedo at the end of 2013.

Launched to market in early 2011, Flash Black combines technology from previous WASS torpedo programmes with a new rechargeable propulsion battery system. The company claims that the weapon will deliver unmatched cost-effectiveness according to the metric of performance to life-cycle cost.

Leveraging technology from the previous A244/S Mod 3, A290 and MU90 lightweight torpedoes, as well as from the Black Shark heavyweight weapon, Flash Black is a private venture development embodying "a number of conceptual and patented innovations that will render it uniquely capable in the world in terms of capabilities, flexibility and affordability", said Renzo Lunardi, WASS chief executive officer. Speaking at the Euronaval 2012 exhibition in Paris in October, he added: "We have already tested and proved in simulated and real environments the key technologies underpinning the weapon's performances and [have confidence in achieving] the low acquisition and reduced life-cycle costs compared to current lightweight torpedoes."

He continued: "The target acquisition price for Flash Black is to be as close as possible to A244/S and considerably lower than that of MU90."