The projected fleet torpedo boats 1944 were planed after a radical change in torpedo boat tactics. Unlike all predecessors which should have operated in coastal waters or the North Sea, the Flottentorpedoboote 1944 should be able to operate with other fleet units in the North Atlantic.

Therefore the main focus of armament changed, too. While previous torpedo boats were mainly seen to attack with their torpedoes, this design preferred anti aircraft artillery. Therefore the main armament were four 10,5 cm flak guns, plus a increased number of smaller antiaircraft guns, but those ships kept the torpedo and mine laying abilities of their predecessors.

To enable those ships for ocean operations, their range had to be dramatically enlarged.

As a technical innovation, all auxiliary machinery were electrical powered instead of the usual steam powered ones.

9 of them (T52-T60) were ordered on 28.03.1944, but all orders were canceled shortly after that.