Key point: The U.S. Navy should acquire small, heavily-armed missile corvettes and deploy them like modern versions of World War II torpedo boats. Iran's IRGC Navy Unveiled Zolfaqar Semi-Submersible Torpedo Boat FARS News agency is reporting that Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) unveiled for the first time a new home-made torpedo vessel named 'Zolfaqar', during an exhibition in Tehran on Saturday. The Tir II (IPS 18) is an Iranian built small fast attack craft torpedo boat featuring a low, flush hull to reduce its radar cross-section. The Navy Wants Torpedo Boats To Help Deter Iran. And the service also should buy carrier ships to transport and support the short-range corvettes in combat zones. Washington may need more of such warships to patrol contested waters. The radar is set on a retractable mast, with fixed 21" tubes inside the superstructure.

The Navy Wants Torpedo Boats To Help Deter Iran. Engines exhaust at the waterline to reduce its IR signature. David Axe, The National Interest • January 5, 2020.