Torpedo Data Computer: Difference between revisions

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The problem of aiming a [[torpedo]] has occupied military engineers since [[Robert Whitehead]] developed the modern torpedo in the 1860s. These early torpedoes ran at a preset depth on a straight course (consequently they are frequently referred to as "straight runners"). This was the state of the art in torpedo guidance until the development of the homing torpedo during the latter part of [[World War II]].<ref name=othertorps>There were other forms of torpedo guidance attempted throughout WWII. Notable are the Japanese human-guided ''[[Kaiten]]'' and German [[G7e#G7e/T3|pattern running]] and [[acoustic homing]] types for attacking convoys. Today, most submarine-launched torpedoes are wire-guided with terminal homing.</ref> The vast majority of submarine torpedoes during World War II were straight running and these continued in use for many years after World War II.<ref name=USMk14his>{{cite web|url = http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/1592/ustorp5.htm|title= Part Five: Post WW-II Submarine Launched/ Heavyweight Torpedoes|accessdate=2006-07-26|author= Frederick J Milford|date= October 1997|work= US Navy Torpedoes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523064716/http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/1592/ustorp5.htm|archivedate=2006-05-23}}</ref> In fact, two World War II-era straight running torpedoes — fired by the British nuclear-powered submarine {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}} — sank the [[ARA General Belgrano|ARA ''General Belgrano'']] in 1982.

During [[World War I]], computing a target intercept course for a torpedo was a manual process where the fire control party was aided by various [[slide rule]]s.<ref name=fleetsub>{{cite web | title = Torpedo Data Computer | work = FleetSubmarine.com | year = 2002 | url = http://www.maritime.org/tdc.htm | accessdate = 2006-07-03 }}

</ref> The(the U.S. examples of these were colloquially called "banjo", owing tofor its shape, and "Is/Was", for predicting where a target will be based on where it is versus where it previouslyand was.)<ref>Holwitt, Joel I. ''"Execute Against Japan"'', Ph.D. dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005, p.147; Beach, Edward L., Jr. ''Run Silent, Run Deep''.</ref> or mechanical calculator/sights.<ref name = dread>{{cite web |title = Firing a Torpedo Using A Mechanical Computing Sight |work=The Dreadnought Project |url =http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/Torpedo_Director|year=2000

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

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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"/>

The first submarine designed to use the TDC was {{USS|Tambor|SS-198|2}},<ref name=Tambor>{{cite web | last = Mohl | first = Michael | title = Tambor (SS-198) | work = NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive | year = 2006 | url = http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08198.htm | accessdate = 2006-08-01 }}</ref> launched in 1940 with the Mark III, located in the [[conning tower]].<ref name="Holwitt, p.147"/> &ndash; an installation which(This differed from earlier outfits.)<ref>Beach, Edward L., Jr. ''Dust on the Sea''.</ref> It proved to be the best torpedo fire control system of [[World War II]].<ref>Holwitt, p.147; {{harvnb|Friedman|1995|p=195}}.</ref><!--This appears to conflict with the Technical Mission assessment.-->

In 1943, the Torpedo Data Computer Mark IV was developed to support the [[Mark 18 torpedo|Mark 18]] torpedo.<ref name=Mk18>The Mark 18 was electric and therefore wakeless and difficult for surface forces to trace. On the downside, it was slower than the Mark 14. This made it more difficult to aim accurately because larger gyro angles were involved. Even so, thousands of them were fired during WWII.</ref><ref name=clearMk18>{{harvnb|O'Kane|1977|p=221}}</ref>