User:Ziggle/Draft of TDC Notes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
-
-
Torpedo Mk 14 Characteristics Torpedo Type Submarine Launched Torpedo Physical Characteristics Length 246 inches Weight 3209 lbs Diameter 21.0 inches Propulsion System Steam Turbine Guidance Air Gyro Performance Speed
31.1 knots (low speed)
46.3 knots (high speed)Warhead Mk 16 Mod 6 Filling 643 lb HBX Range 9000 yards (low speed)
4500 yards (high speed)
-
[edit] Position Keeper
While the submarine course and line of sight angle could be measured accurately, the target speed and course could not be measured directly and they were estimated from periscope observations. The target keeper provides a way for the fire control party to compare their estimates of current target course and speed with the position keeper's estimate based on previous estimates. Thus, through a process of observation,prediciton, and correction, the target parameter estimates were refined until the periscope readings and the position keeper's estimates agree, indicating the fire control parameters are correct.
[edit] See Also
- Masthead Height: Data used by submarine captains in conjunction with the periscope's telemeter to estimate target range.
- Analog Computing History: Nice survey article on the work of Ford and Newell, early pioneers in analog computing.
- WWI Torpedo Fire Control: First-rate simulation illustrating torpedo fire control methods used during WWI.
- Proportional Navigation: WWII lead computation is closely related to the principles of proportional navigation.
- US Torpedo History: Good description of operational use of the Mk 14, Mk 18, and Mk 23

