OVERVIEW: The Black Shark Advanced (BSA) is an Italian heavyweight, submarine-launched, wire-guided torpedo developed as a next-generation evolution of the original Black Shark. It features advanced propulsion, extended range, and upgraded digital guidance systems for multi-role anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

DETAILS: The Black Shark Advanced (also referred to as BSA or Black Shark New Generation) was developed by Leonardo (formerly WASS) as a major upgrade to the original Black Shark torpedo. It uses an electrically driven propulsion system powered by aluminum-silver oxide batteries, significantly increasing endurance, speed, and stealth. The BSA integrates a fully digital guidance and control system with fiber-optic wire for mid-course updates, and a dual-mode active/passive acoustic homing head. It is designed to operate in both blue-water and littoral environments, countering modern quiet submarines and surface threats. The BSA has been offered to both domestic and export customers under the NATO Submarine Program (NSP) context, but full operational status remains unverified.

TYPE: Heavyweight fiber-optic wire-guided acoustic torpedo

FUNCTION: The BSA is launched from a submarine and guided mid-course via fiber-optic wire, allowing real-time course corrections. In terminal phase, it activates its advanced acoustic homing head to autonomously track and strike enemy submarines or surface ships with a high-explosive warhead.

NOTE:
IOC: 1980 (A.184), 2004 (Black Shark), unconfirmed (Black Shark Advanced)
Operators: Italy (planned), unspecified export customers (unconfirmed)
Platforms: U212A NFS-class (Italy, intended), SSKs of export clients (unconfirmed)
Conflict used in: None
Manufacturer: Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy)

SOURCE:
Jane’s Underwater Warfare Systems ; Leonardo Product Datasheet: https://www.leonardo.com/en/products/black-shark-advanced ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/index.html ; SIPRI Arms Transfers Database: https://armstrade.sipri.org ; Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems