about the Shkval weapon system. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Pope in December 2000 on humanitarian grounds because he had bone cancer. Operators Russian Navy (possibly) Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (possibly) (possibly) Vietnam People's Navy (possibly equipped with Kilo-class submarines, it is suspected that Vietnam owns this type of torpedo in its inventory due to a picture showing a part of VA-111 and Vietnamese labels) Variants There are at least three variants: VA-111 Shkval – Original variant; GOLIS autonomous inertial guidance. "Shkval 2" – Current variant; believed to have additional guidance systems, possibly via the use of vectored thrust, and with a much longer range. A less capable version currently being exported to foreign naval forces. The export version is referred to as "Shkval-E". Iran claimed it has created a version named Hoot. All current versions are believed to be fitted only with conventional explosive warheads, although the original design used a nuclear warhead. Specifications Length: Diameter: Weight: Warhead weight: Speed Launch speed: Maximum speed: or greater Range: Around (new version). Older versions only References Sources External links FAS page on the VA-111 Shkval underwater rocket Dagdizel Plant products Supercavitating torpedoes Torpedoes of Russia Torpedoes of the Soviet Union Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1977