R-2 Mala-class swimmer delivery vehicle
A Croatian R-2M Mala photographed in 2010.
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Brodogradilište specijalnih objekata (BSO), Split, Croatia |
| Operators: | SFR Yugoslav Navy |
| Preceded by: | R-1-class |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | Empty: 1,400 kg (3,100 lb) |
| Length: | 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) |
| Beam: | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | Maximum: 4.4 knots (8.1 km/h; 5.1 mph) |
| Test depth: |
Working depth: 15–60 m (49 ft 3 in–196 ft 10 in)
Maximum depth: 100 m (328 ft 1 in) |
| Complement: | 2 |
| Armament: | 2 × 50 kg (110 lb) limpet mines |
Maximum depth: 100 m (328 ft 1 in)
The R-2 Mala is a class of swimmer delivery vehicles (SDVs) built for the Yugoslav, and later on, Croatian Navy. The two man wet SDVs are used for transporting naval commandos into hostile waters where they would perform sabotage on enemy warships and coastal installations. Weapons at their disposal included limpet mines.
With the start of the Croatian War of Independence SDVs in service with the Yugoslav Navy were relocated to FR Yugoslavia. Two new vehicles were completed for the Croatian Navy during the 1990s while a small number these vehicles were also exported to Syria and Sweden before the war.
Developed by the Brodarski institut (BI) from Zagreb, the R-2 Mala swimmer delivery vehicles were designed for transporting naval special forces armed with two 50 kg (110 lb) limpet mines inside enemy-controlled waters. After reaching their area of operations, the divers would anchor the vehicle and continue on their own by swimming until they reached their targets which included warships in port or other coastal installations.
The SDVs were constructes from aluminium and plexiglass, utilizing an enclosed wet crew compartment. Propulsion consisted of a single 3.5–4.5 kW (4.7–6.0 hp) electric engine mounted on a single shaft, enabling them a maximum speed of 4.4 knots (8.1 km/h; 5.1 mph) and a cruising speed of 3.7 knots (6.9 km/h; 4.3 mph). Moving at their maximum speed they have a range of 18 nmi (33 km; 21 mi) increasing to 23 nmi (43 km; 26 mi) if travelling at their cruise speed.
Normal operating depth is between 15–60 m (49 ft 3 in–196 ft 10 in) while the maximum test depth is 100 m (328 ft 1 in). Without the divers and their armament the vehicles displace 1,400 kg (3,100 lb).
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Wikipedia