Torpedo

A modern torpedo, historically called a self-propelled torpedo, is a self-propelled guided projectile that (after being launched above or below the water surface) operates underwater and is designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target. Torpedoes are weapons that may be launched from submarines, surface ships, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, unmanned naval mines and naval fortresses

Torpedo classes and diameters

Torpedoes are most commonly launched in one of four ways:

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• From the deck-mounted torpedo launcher of a vessel on the surface.
• From a torpedo tube mounted either below the waterline of a vessel on the surface, or on a submarine.
• From a low-flying aircraft or helicopter.
• As the final stage of a compound rocket or ramjet powered munition (sometimes called an assisted torpedo).

Many navies have two weights of torpedoes:

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• A light torpedo used primarily as a close attack weapon, particularly by aircraft.
• A heavy torpedo used primarily as a standoff weapon, particularly by submerged submarines.

In the case of deck or tube launched torpedoes, the diameter of the torpedo is obviously a key factor in determining the suitability of a particular torpedo to a tube or launcher, similar to the calibre of the gun. The size is not quite as critical as for a gun barrel, but diameter has become the most common way of classifying torpedoes.

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Length, weight, and other factors also contribute to compatibility. In the case of aircraft launched torpedoes, the key factors are weight, provision of suitable attachment points, and launch speed. Assisted torpedoes are the most recent development in torpedo design, and are normally engineered as an integrated package. Versions for aircraft and assisted launching have sometimes been based on deck or tube launched versions, and there has been at least one case of a submarine torpedo tube being designed to fire an aircraft torpedo.

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As in all munition design, there is a compromise between standardisation, which simplifies manufacture and logistics, and specialisation, which may make the weapon significantly more effective. Small improvements in either logistics or effectiveness can translate into enormous operational advantages.

Related Topics:
Munition - Logistics

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Some common torpedo diameters (using the most common designation, metric or inch, and listed in increasing order of size):

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• 12.75 inch (approximately 324 mm) is the most common size for light torpedoes.
• 16 inch (406 mm) was the size of the earliest specialised Soviet ASW torpedoes. 16 inch torpedo tubes were fitted to Soviet Hotel, Echo and early Delta class submarines, often in addition to 21 inch tubes.
• 17.7 inch (450 mm) was the standard size for light torpedoes of the Imperial Japanese Navy. This size is sometimes referred to as 18 inches.
• 21 inch (533 mm) is the most common size for heavy torpedoes, including:
• Allied torpedoes of the Second World War.
• Some torpedoes of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
• Torpedoes of the Kriegsmarine
• NATO torpedoes.
• Some Soviet and Russian torpedoes, including the current ASW models.
• 24 inch (610 mm) torpedoes were used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, most famously the deck launched Type 93 torpedo, also some Kaitens.
• 650 mm (approximately 25.6 inches) is the largest torpedo diameter used by the Russian navy, see Type 65 torpedo. Adaptors are used to fire 533 mm (21 inch) munitions from 650 mm tubes.

Even larger sizes of torpedo tube, including 660 mm (26 inches), 30 inch (about 762mm) and 36 inch (about 914 mm), have been installed on some nuclear submarines. These tubes are designed to be capable of firing large diameter munitions such as cruise missiles, as well as the standard 21 inch heavy torpedo. See torpedo tube.

Related Topics:
Cruise missile - Torpedo tube

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