Torpedo Data Computer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:27, 21 June 2022

Revision as of 17:38, 20 August 2022

Line 18:

|access-date=2006-07-11}}</ref> These were often "woefully inaccurate",<ref>Holwitt, p. 147.</ref> which helps explain why torpedo spreads were advised.

During World War II, Germany,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/U505/virtualtour/photo_tour/contower.html |title=ArchivedU-505 copy&#124; Virtual Tour &#124; Photo Tour &#124; Conning Tower |access-date=2006-08-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050608024538/http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/U505/virtualtour/photo_tour/contower.html |archive-date=2005-06-08 }}</ref> Japan,<ref>[http://web.ukonline.co.uk/chalcraft/sm/attack.html Britain] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619061752/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/chalcraft/sm/attack.html |date=2006-06-19 }}</ref> and the United States each developed [[analog computer]]s to automate the process of computing the required torpedo course.<ref name=JapanTechnology>{{cite book | last = Jackson, USNR | first = Lt.(jg) J.G. | url = http://www.fischer-tropsch.org/primary_documents/gvt_reports/USNAVY/USNTMJ%20Reports/USNTMJ-200F-0086-0124%20Report%20O-32.pdf | title = Japanese Torpedo Fire Control | date = February 1946 | publisher = US Naval Technical Mission to Japan | id = Fascicle O-1, Target O-32 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070720142332/http://www.fischer-tropsch.org/primary_documents/gvt_reports/USNAVY/USNTMJ%20Reports/USNTMJ-200F-0086-0124%20Report%20O-32.pdf | archive-date = 2007-07-20 }}</ref>

In 1932, the [[Bureau of Ordnance]] (BuOrd) initiated development of the TDC with [[Arma Corporation]] and [[Ford Instruments]].<ref name="Holwitt, p.147">Holwitt, p.147.</ref> This culminated in the "very complicated" Mark 1 in 1938.<ref name="Holwitt, p.147"/> This was retrofitted into older boats, beginning with [[USS Dolphin (SS-169)|''Dolphin'']] and up through the newest [[Salmon class submarine|''Salmon'']]s.<ref name="Holwitt, p.147"/>

Line 56:

The packaging problem was severe and the performance of some early torpedo fire control equipment was hampered by the need to make it small.<ref name=USSubHis>{{harvnb|Friedman|1995|p=350}}</ref> It had an array of handcranks, dials, and switches for data input and display.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/tdc.html|title = Torpedo Data Computer|date = November 2015}}</ref> To generate a fire control solution, it required inputs on

*submarine course and speed, which were read automatically from the submarine's [[gyrocompass]] and [[pitometer log]]

*estimated target course, speed, and range information (obtained using data from the submarine's [[periscope]], [[Target Bearing Transmitter]] (TBT),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin/bowfin_systems/TBT/tbt.htm |title=ArchivedUSS copyBowfin - Target Bearing Transmitter |access-date=2006-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720074815/http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin/bowfin_systems/TBT/tbt.htm |archive-date=2006-07-20 }}</ref> [[radar]], and [[sonar]])

*torpedo type and speed (type was needed to deal with the different torpedo ballistics)<!--This was accounted for by changing cams in the machine, but can't recall if the source is Blair, Grider, O'Kane, or Beach...or somewhere else...-->