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Fish type II (Yu-2)

The Chinese navy believed that it is necessary to launch a torpedo attack on enemy ships from the air. The Yu-2 (YU-2) air-launched anti-ship torpedo was the first self-made air-dropped anti-ship torpedo of the Chinese Navy. It was a Chinese imitation of the Soviet RAT-52 air-launched torpedo, codenamed YU-2. In 1954, the Navy imported short-range air-to-ship torpedoes propelled by solid fuel rockets from the Soviet Union to equip naval aviation bombers. In 1958, China decided to imitate it, introduced a full set of blueprints, and hired two Soviet experts. The imitation task was initially undertaken by the 123 Factory of the Third Machinery Department. The torpedo was originally produced in July 1960, but the test fire failed. In 1964, after the completion of the 374 factory specializing in the production of torpedoes, the 705 Institute re-imitation and the 347 factory restarted production. However, because China's solid booster rocket engine technology was not enough, many test failures happened. It was repeated over and over again until June 1971, when the design was finalized.

This type of torpedo has a diameter of 450 mm, uses solid fuel jet propulsion, is more than 3 meters long, has a maximum speed of 40 knots, a maximum range of 5 kilometers, and a warhead weighs 200 kilograms.

However, this type of torpedo is also self-controlled and direct-navigation in the guidance mode, and has no guidance capability. It is unknown whether this type of torpedo has been improved. The aircraft that the Chinese naval aviation can drop the Fish-2 torpedoes are the H-5 bomber and the Strong-5 attack aircraft. The former can carry two and the latter can carry one. Yu-2 is designed to use rocket engines to fly at high speeds in the air and enter the water when it is very close to a surface target. Regarding the combat performance of the Yu-2 torpedo, a little can be learned from the Soviet Union's description of RAT-52. In 1995, a study by the Soviet Navy showed that 8 RAT-52s can sink a 50,000-ton aircraft carrier. However, to hit 8 torpedoes, it takes an average of 29 H5 or 58 Strong 5 to drop 58 It is possible for torpedoes to achieve this probability. This also refers to an aircraft that has broken through the opponent's air defense and can drop torpedoes on the target.

If there is no improvement, in the face of modern ships and air defense capabilities in the 1990s, the combat capability of the two sexes is quite doubtful. Therefore, with the gradual retirement of the H5, the Yu-2 torpedo will also complete its historical mission. Only a small amount of Yu-2 was delivered to the Navy before production was completely stopped. The torpedo is currently not in service.