Author Topic: How does one aim a sub? (Read 948 times)

frank3 · « **on:** October 15, 2005, 02:45:58 PM »

Is there any original data on how a torpedo was aimed at a moving target from a submarine?

Thanks in advance,

Frank

Treize69 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:54:52 PM »

I cant find the source at the moment, but they had a similar targeting computer to the one used for 16-inch turrets on battleships as I recall.

frank3 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2005, 03:23:23 PM »

I forgot to add that I wanted to know this for World War II submarines, not modern life ones

Krusty · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2005, 03:29:26 PM »

They saw where they were, they saw where the enemy was. They plotted a path that they'd need to fire the torp onto to hit the target, and calculated time to target by stop watches and the speed they were at, the speed the target was at, and the speed the fish could travel.

In other words, they used math.

frank3 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2005, 03:39:33 PM »

Yeah that I figured, but what was the routine? How did they 'plot the path' and what was the formula?

Krusty · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2005, 03:44:10 PM »

Well probably find direction of sub. Estimate direction of target. Find angle from sub to target by periscope (they had compass markings on the inside, so if you pointed 10 degrees one way you could instantly tell you were 10 degrees from center). Then given speeds and times adjust where/when you have to fire so that the time to target covers the proper distance to target. It's easy enough, in theory.

Say you've got a ship going 20kts, and a sub going 18kts. Ship is on constant heading, sub is parallel and following.

Hypothetically the captain figures that at this range (say, 2000 yards) the 30mph torpedo will take 15 seconds to reach target.

Well then they just have to find "at what angle, but the same distance, will we need to fire to intercept the patch of this ship in 15 seconds"?

That kind fo stuff.

EDIT: If you're looking for actual equations and whatnot I don't have 'em. They might have just drawn on maps with grease pens.

Raptor · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2005, 04:12:35 PM »

I know copper wire is used today to help guide the torpedo. Wires were being used back then too, so it seems plausible that they could guide torpedos with a copper wire up to a certain distance. (Don't know if that happened but seems like it's something someone would have experimented with)

Widewing · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2005, 05:18:53 PM »

Plotting a torpedo firing solution was not simple by any means. Go here to find out exactly what was involved.

My regards,

Widewing

frank3 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2005, 06:16:13 PM »

Great site Widewing, exactly what I was looking for, thanks!