Torpedo Data Computer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:20, 29 November 2016

Revision as of 22:22, 29 November 2016

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</ref><ref name=OtherTrackers>While the TDC's target tracking abilities were unique for submarine torpedo fire control during WWII, target tracking was used on surface ship torpedo fire control systems by a number of nations (see references in this article to [http://www.maritime.org/doc/destroyer/ddfc/index.htm US destroyer] and [http://www.fischer-tropsch.org/primary_documents/gvt_reports/USNAVY/USNTMJ%20Reports/USNTMJ-200F-0086-0124%20Report%20O-32.pdf Japanese torpedo fire control]). The TDC was the first analog computer to miniaturize the capability enough for deployment on a submarine.</ref>

Replacing the previously standard hand-held [[slide rule]]-type devices (known as the "banjo" & "is/was"),<ref>Beach, ''Run Silent, Run Deep''</ref> the TDC was designed to provide fire-control solutions for submarine torpedo firing against [[ship]]s running on the surface (surface warships used a different computer).<ref>[http://www.maritime.org/doc/destroyer/ddfc/index.htm]</ref> It had an array of handcranks, dials, and switches for data input and display.<ref>[http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/tdc.html]</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>[http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin/bowfin_systems/TBT/tbt.htm]</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...-->