OVERVIEW: The TEST‑71ME is a heavyweight, wire-guided export variant of the TEST‑71M submarine-launched torpedo, introduced in the mid-1980s. It combines Russian wire guidance with acoustic homing and is compatible with Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines.

DETAILS: “TEST” is derived from the Russian “Telecontrolled Self-Guided Torpedo,” and “ME” indicates the export modification of the TEST‑71M. It retains the 533 mm diameter and 7.9 m length of the base model and maintains the 205 kg warhead, silver-zinc electric propulsion, and twin-propeller wakeless design. The TEST‑71ME uses the KTU‑81 wire guidance system, offering approximately 20 km of steerable wire (15 km on torpedo, 5 km aboard the submarine) and incorporates the Sapfir acoustic seeker, later versions using improved Keramika heads. Speed is selectable at 40 kn for 15 km range or 25 kn for up to 25 km engagement, and it operates to depths of 400 m. The export version adds dual-plane steering and options for acoustic proximity fuses.

TYPE: Heavyweight Wire-Guided Anti-Submarine Torpedo

FUNCTION: Launched from 533 mm submarine tubes, the TEST‑71ME travels under wire guidance during the initial and mid-course phases, allowing in-flight steering. It then transitions to active/passive acoustic homing to acquire and engage submarine targets, with potential wake-homing features in advanced variants.

NOTE:
IOC: Mid-1980s (TEST‑71ME)
Manufacturer: Soviet Union / Russia (Gidropribor / Dvigatel)
Operators: Export navies using Kilo-class submarines (e.g., Vietnam, China, others)
Platforms: Project 877/Kilo-class submarines
Conflict used in: None confirmed

SOURCE:
WeaponsSystems.net “TEST‑71ME” ; WeaponsSystems.net “TEST‑71” ; Globalsecurity Russian torpedo data ; Naval Systems Export Catalogue ; Wikipedia “Type 53 torpedo”