Design of Torpedoes and Naval Mines

Book excerpt: This book is about modern torpedo technology and naval mine design. It is written by an expert in underwater weapon systems. The author has spent many years designing torpedoes in all their aspects from homing to dynamics and control engineering, as well as torpedo proximity fuzes. He has also designed all types of naval mines. The author initially discusses the nature of underwater explosions and the detailed designing of torpedo electromagnetic (EM) proximity fuzes based on it. The topic of EM proximity fuzes, considered a complex subject, is treated in an easy-to-understand manner. The topic is well explained with examples. Torpedo homing is then discussed in substantial detail as well as wake homing. The author discusses basic sonar theory for the uninitiated. He then discusses the evolution of torpedo homing and concludes with a cursory examination of the homing head of a contemporary torpedo.