Quote:
Originally Posted by TorpX
The USN airdropped torpedo, Mk 13, was steam. AFAIK, so are other nations arial torps. Even if they wanted to make an electric version, the batteries would be heavy and have poor power/weight performance characteristics. Besides, while they might not be able to see the torpedo, they can certainly see the plane that drops it.
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Indeed and that would make a wake less airdropped torpedo a moot point if ever there was one.The only electric airdropped torpedo that I am aware of is the Mk.24 "Fido" and that was a small device (for a torpedo) and had a low top speed and a small warhead.Of course it was used against U-boats that would be in the process of diving or submerged and not be able to out run the "Fido".
The Japanese air torpedoes where kerosene-air powered so they also left a wake.Japanese ship and submarine launched torpedoes kerosene-oxygen powered.