According to South China Morning Post Daily’s article on August 4, 2024, China has successfully tested a new torpedo capable of sinking an aircraft carrier. The method however is not unveiled.
Two methods are direct hit with the warhead and explosion below the vessel, which creates a bubble. If the damage can be controlled, the first method allows the sailors to save the ship.
The second method, employing a super cavitating torpedo, is particularly destructive. The torpedo creates a bubble underwater, causing the ship to rise on the bubble and break the keel, which causes the vessel to sink immediately.
Big vessels such as aircraft carriers require super cavitating torpedoes to sink.
A Type-039B submarine launched the torpedo, targeting a decommissioned Type-074 amphibious assault ship. The torpedo in question is believed to be the Yu-10, which has been operational since 2015 but has not been publicly displayed until now.
The torpedo has a potent warhead that can strike and submerge an aircraft carrier. This video was shown to mark the 70th anniversary of the PLAN submarine force. Military analysts assume that the torpedo is the rumoured Yu-10, supposedly placed into service in 2015.
The public debut of the Yu-10 suggests that there might be ongoing testing or development of more sophisticated torpedo technology. The development of the Yu-10 is still unclear and lacks transparency. In early 2019, a purchase request was posted on a military equipment website, emphasising the need to preserve Yu-10 prototypes, thereby confirming the existence of this torpedo model.
