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Sweden Tests Torpedo 47 on Combat Boat 90 Highlighting Mobile Littoral Warfare Capability.
On March 28, 2025, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets Materielverk – FMV) announced that it had successfully conducted a live-fire sea trial of the lightweight Torpedo 47 (Tp 47), deployed from a non-traditional naval platform, specifically a Combat Boat 90 (CB90). The test was carried out in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces and defence company Saab as part of an initiative to explore the possibility of deploying the weapon system beyond its original operational scope.
Introduced into service with the Royal Swedish Navy in 2023, the Torpedo 47 is a new-generation system developed to replace the Tp 45 and tailored for the challenging operational conditions of the Baltic Sea. (Picture source: FMV)
According to FMV, the trials were part of a joint effort between the “Amphibious Battalion 2030” and “New Light Torpedo” projects, and aimed to evaluate the feasibility of installing the Torpedo 47 on smaller platforms than those for which it was initially developed. Joakim Drakfors, project manager at FMV, stated that this system configuration provided a suitable basis for testing and developing new deployment options. The trials, conducted at sea in late 2024, demonstrated that the interaction between the weapon system and the CB90 platform functioned effectively, indicating a potential for use in littoral and coastal operations.
The CB90 is a fast assault craft developed by the Swedish shipbuilder Dockstavarvet, now part of Saab, and is widely employed by Swedish forces for amphibious missions. The integration of the Torpedo 47 into this platform marks a significant step in exploring flexible and mobile strike capabilities. FMV also confirmed that Saab had conducted separate demonstrations of the system from an unmanned surface vessel (USV), suggesting broader prospects for deploying torpedoes from autonomous or modular platforms.
The Torpedo 47, which entered service with the Royal Swedish Navy in 2023, was developed to replace the previous Tp 45 model. It is a new-generation torpedo specifically designed for the complex operational environment of the Baltic Sea. The weapon measures 2.85 meters in length, with a diameter of 400 mm and a weight of approximately 340 kg. It can reach a minimum speed of 35 knots and has a range of at least 20 kilometers. Propulsion is provided by a direct current electric motor coupled with a pumpjet system, powered by a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a cycle life of over 100 charges. The guidance system features a digital MS4 seeker operating in both active and passive modes, and the torpedo maintains a two-way communication link with the launch platform via a copper wire.
Building on decades of Swedish experience in developing torpedo systems for both surface ships and submarines, the Torpedo 47 is currently deployed on Swedish corvettes and submarines, and has also been adopted by the Finnish Navy for its Hamina-class fast attack craft, with future integration planned for the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes.
FMV reports that the test results point toward the potential development of dual-domain combat capabilities, enabling coordinated action using the Torpedo 47 in conjunction with other effect systems to engage targets both below and above the surface. This approach may contribute to redefining operational tactics in hybrid maritime scenarios, focusing on mobility, modularity, and operational efficiency.
The findings from this test campaign are currently being reviewed by FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces to determine the next steps for potential development and implementation. These results reflect the broader interest in expanding the use of the Torpedo 47 within modular frameworks, indicating a shift in Swedish naval doctrine toward lighter, more adaptable weapon systems suited to evolving maritime operational requirements.