Thus the torpedo fire control problem is very closely related to the surface (or main-battery) fire control problem.

Our discussion, then, is concerned with the problem of controlling the firing of a missile by one surface ship against another surface ship. In this section of instruction sheets we are considering only its use by destroyers-the Navy's primary submarine hunter. The non-homing torpedo is a weapon which can be used effectively only against targets on the ocean's surface. On the following sheets we will limit our discussion to the non-homing torpedo and the fire control problem it presents when fired from destroyers.Ĭomparing the Surface and Torpedo Fire Control Problems At present, the homing torpedo is rapidly coming to the fore, but the non-homing type will remain important for some time, and you should know something about aimed torpedoes and how they are used. The aimed torpedo, which is set to follow a fixed course after firing, was for many years the only type in use. The homing torpedo, which seeks out its own target, was discussed briefly in the preceding section. There are two general classifications of torpedoes-homing and non-homing (or aimed).

In addition to being fired from submerged subs, they may be dropped from planes or launched from torpedo (PT) boats and destroyers. Torpedoes are very powerful and effective weapons, and their use is not restricted to submarines. Using torpedoes, subs and small surface ships have a 'Sunday punch' to throw at large surface ships. The answer, of course, is that a submarine's primary weapon is the torpedo-a self-propelled missile designed to travel underwater and carry an explosive charge to an enemy vessel. You may ask why antisubmarine warfare is so important -certainly a sub's deck guns, if it had any, would be of no value against more heavily armed surface ships. You saw that a good deal of intricate equipment is used to detect, locate and attack these underwater enemies. In the last section of these instruction sheets you learned how surface ships employ various weapons against submarines.

How to aim torpedoes world of warships