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Re: GNAT
Posted by: Brian ()
Date: May 08, 2004 02:21PM

Hi Mike & Robert,
Without going into boring details, I am a former weapons officer. In case of misses, certain electric torpedoes do retain a positive buoyancy and will not always sunk to the bottom, therefore at least some types were fitted with a device to cause their detonation at the end of the run.
This applies to the USN as well. The second reason for fitting self-destruct devices is that the RN experienced problems during WWI with dud hit, where the warhead was breaking off on impact, leaving the body floating for anyone to recover & study. The self destruct would act in such case as a reserve detonator, much like the base fuze of heavy APC shells. Of course, malfunctions happen to everything that goes to sea and may not be opened for maintenance for several weeks, so I'm not surprised if it causes prematures or fails to work completely.....
Regards, Brian

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Subject Written By Posted
GNAT Michael 05/05/2004 03:17AM
Re: GNAT Brian 05/05/2004 09:46PM
Re: GNAT ROBERT M. 05/05/2004 11:39PM
Re: GNAT Mike 05/08/2004 09:33AM
Re: GNAT Brian 05/08/2004 02:21PM
Re: GNAT ROBERT M. 05/08/2004 10:24PM
Re: GNAT Brian 05/09/2004 10:38AM
Re: GNAT ROBERT M. 05/09/2004 06:10PM
Re: GNAT Sniper 06/13/2004 03:32AM
Re: GNAT Natter 08/28/2011 05:50PM


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