From:	Russ Myrick <rm91612@****.net>
Subject:	Re: Naval units (was Re: Killing in Shadowrun...)
Date:	Tue, 28 May 1996 16:50:28 -0700

Adam Getchell wrote:
> The range on your Mark 56 torpedo is a bit short. You state a rigger
> can control it by wire guidance out to 1000 meters. The Mark 48 can be
> controlled out to about 26 nautical miles on wire guidance.

Still short. If this were a cribbage score you'd be skunked.
>
> Probably, the torpedo room would be fully automated for speed of
> loading and automated datalinks to the weapons. If you have manual
> loaders, you have a break between the data from the fire solution and
> the weapon computer.

Not any more so than they are now. Most of the loading is automated on
fast attacks. Those portions which are not automated are the safeguards
-- Who the hell needs a hot run on 48 with "no look back" disabled?
Besides the final solution does not even go to the weapon until it exits
the tube (check fin switch). Currently the launch solution passes from
sonar/main FCC to torpedo room FCC to weapon. Once the fish is clear it
links directly to sonar/main FCC for guidance.
>
> By 2057, there would doubtless be no difference between the "standard"
> torpedo and an underwater rocket. Unguided munitions don't fare as
> well.

Lots of difference. Those rockets are damned noisy. Lately the
direction of torpedo development has been for a stealth vs. speed
compromise. We already have units (variants of the 48) that exceed
60 knots (The Russians have one we tried to ID in '84 that exceeds
100 knots and is not a rocket).

<snip>

> Mines nowadays tend to be of the CAPTOR type (encapsulated torpedo).
> I'd say it would just be "lie silent-autonomous mode" for a Mark 58
> torpedo.

No, there'd still be the other types of mines in use. The variance in
mines now allows for mission specific uses and combinations. In the case
of CAPTOR it has proven to be very useful as an ASW weapon for securing
channels and port entrys, but is virtually useless in open water and for
controlling canals, rivers, etc. My personal fav is the lamprey type (it
detonates on remote signal or when removed from the attached target's
magnetic signiature -- say 5 inches -- and is nuclear capable).