Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:26:26-4:27:02

Could Hedgehog-style ASW weapons return?

Swedish work and gun-launched anti-submarine rounds show how Western navies may revive cheap area-effect weapons against submarines and underwater drones.

4.5-inch Guns5-inch GunsAnti-Submarine WarfareHedgehog Anti-Submarine WeaponNaval GunneryType 26 FrigateUncrewed Underwater Vehicles
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Question

Will Hedgehog-like anti-submarine weapons return to Western warships?

Short answer

Possibly in modernized form, including Swedish systems and gun-launched ASW rounds intended for submarines or underwater drones.

Notes

Swedish development offers one possible route back to Hedgehog-like anti-submarine weapons. Anti-submarine ammunition for 5-inch and 4.5-inch guns offers another route. The Type 26's 5-inch gun is linked to that option. Relatively cheap rounds fired into the water at distance could disrupt or destroy small uncrewed underwater vehicles.