Torpedo Types Flashcards
What are the two torpedo classifications?
Lightweight
Heavyweight
Lightweight Torpedos
Smaller torpedos designed to damage or rupture submarine hulls.
They do not require large charges because submarines are more vulnerable to underwater explosions.
Used by aircraft and as stand-off weapons by ships.
Heavyweight Torpedos
Large torpedos designed to damage surface and subsurface targets.
Primaryily used by submarines or motor torpedo boats.
Nose section: Whats in it? Why would it be flat vs rounded?
Contains the transducer and guidance unit.
In homing torpedos the nose is flat to maximuze size of transudcer array.
Straight running torpedos have more rounded nose for better hydrodynamic flow.
Nose Section: Transducer array
Uses sonar to detect a target.
Emissions are controlled by guidance unit.
Nose Section: Guidance Unit
Analyzes sonar signals to determine if a target is persent and tracks the target.
Controls the search pattern, range gates, and homing logic.
Sends course commands to the control unit.
May also send fusing information to the warhead.
Warhead Section
Contains the fusing, safe/arm devices, explosive train, explosive payload.
May be replaced with telemetry module for test/exercise torpedos.
Center Section
Contains the control group and power source/generator for the propulsor.
Centre Section: Control Group
Translates commands from the guidance section into positional commands for the torpedo control surfaces. Often contains the gyro due to its relation to the centre of gravity.
Centre Section: Power section
Contains fuel/battery.
Afterbody
Contains the motor, gearing, shaft, and propellers and exhaust system.
What are the 3 guidance types?
Straight Running
Wire Guidance
Homing
Straight Running Guidance
Travels on a set line of bearing.
Supercavitating torpedoes are generally straight runners.
Wire Guidance
Attached wire provides better sensor and fire control from the sub, and prevents weapon turnback.
Homing Guidance
Fire and forget.
Wake Homing
Use sonar to detect the noise from the edge of the wake. Causes the torpedo to turn when it detects the outer edge of the wake.
Requires a long range.
3 types of Propellants
Electric
Monopropellant
Chemical
Propellants: Electric
Use silver oxide batteries because they do not need in-service maintenance. No exhaust sytem.
Propellants: Monopropellant
Fuel with oxidizer. Used with internal combustion engines to provide mechanical force to drive the torpedo.
Exhaust system must be able to overcome depth pressure, limiting the depth.
Used by Mk 46 and Mk 48
Propellants: Chemical
Chemical reaction actuates propulsor.
Eg. Sulfur hexaflouride gas sprayed over a block of lithium to provide heat. The heat generates steam which actuates a pump-jet.
Highly maneuverable.
What are 4 engine types?
Turbine
Internal combustion engine
Electric
Rocket
Engines: Turbine
Rotary mechanical device which extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it to useful work.
Engines: Internal Combustion
Use monopropellant.
Engines: Electric motor
Electric goes brrrrrrrrrr
Engines: Rocket
Only used with supercavitation because otherwise they would go too fast and damage the torpedo.
Typically have poor guidance because they cannot see through the boundary of their cavitation bubble.
Two types of Propulsors
Propellers
Water Jets
Propulsors: Propellers
Often use two conra-rotating blades to prevent axial rotation of the torpedo.
Propulsors: Water Jet
Create a jet of water for propulsion.
May be a ducted propeller with anozzle or a centrifugal pump and nozzle.
Launchers: Tubes
Launchers: Rocket Booster
Launch to the target before it starts using fuel.
Why do we use powdered aluminum in warheads?
It makes the explosive pulse last longer which increase the destructive power of underwater explosions.
4 Types of Torpedo Fuses?
Contact
Proximity
Sonar
Magnetic
