OVERVIEW: The 53-39 is an unguided, straight-running, heavyweight torpedo developed by the Soviet Union in 1941 for use against surface ships. It was launched primarily from submarines and surface vessels and relied on preset gyro angles for targeting.

DETAILS: The designation “53-39” indicates a 53 cm diameter and the model year 1939, although it entered service in 1941. It was a wartime simplification of earlier designs such as the 53-38, intended to ease mass production and improve reliability. The torpedo used a wet-heater propulsion system, giving it limited but sufficient range and speed to target convoys or individual ships. Its warhead was filled with high explosive and used a contact and/or magnetic influence fuse.

TYPE: Heavyweight straight-running torpedo

FUNCTION: The 53-39 operated by running on a preset course determined before launch, using a gyroscopic system for direction. It was intended for use against surface ships and relied on high-speed impact detonation or magnetic triggering upon passing under a hull.

NOTE:
IOC: 1936 (53-38 base model), 1941 (53-39)
Operators: Soviet Union
Platforms: S-class submarines, Shchuka-class submarines, Gnevny-class destroyers
Conflict used in: World War II (1941–1945)

SOURCE:
Russian Navy History Department ; Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/index.html ; Naval Weapons of World War Two by John Campbell ; Western Approaches: https://westernapproaches.org.uk/wwii-torpedoes