Torpedo technology has come a long way since WWI. When the correct speed, angle, bearing, and distance of the target are entered into the torpedo computer, the torpedo will make one turn after being launched and run strait to where the target should be, so you don't have to "lead" it. That means, torpedos don't just run strait ahead and the target doesn't have to be right in front of you. However, for various reasons, your chances of scoring a hit increase if that is approximately the case.
But that is for later. You're using automatic targeting, where all pertanant data are entered into the computer automatically just by pointing a scope at a target, and you want to know why torpedos didn't detonate. There could be several reasons for this:
-- You might miss the ship in front or behind
If you are using contact detonators (torpedo must strike the ship):
-- The torpedo runs too deep an misses the ship entirely. Set to shallower depth.
--The torpedo runs too deep and strikes the curved underside of the ship and does not detonate. Set to a depth not more than half the depth of the target (or even less in bad weather because the target will be stomping in the sea)
-- the torpedo strikes the ship and an angle that is too acute and does not detonate. Try to position your boat so that the target will cross your bow at a 90° angle. Ideally you should fire before the target is at a bearing of 0°. Otherwise, the torpedo will have to "catch up" to the ship at a less-than-ideal angle. The angle doesn't have to be perfect, as you have about a 20° window on either side of the perpendicular.
If you are using magnetic detonators (torpedo should run under the target and explode)
-- torpedo runs more than 2 meters under the target and fails to explode. Set torpedo depth to between 0.5 and 2 meters below target's keel (closer to 2 meters in bad weather). If it still doesn't explode, make sure magnetic detonation is selected.
-- Torpedo runs too shallow and hits underside of target. See above.
Sometimes, if the angle is too close to 90° with the target. a magnetic torpedo won't explode because it isn't under the ship long enough to "sense" the target's magnetic field. In this case, wait for a more acute angle or use impact detonation.
-- In any case, the torpedo in question could be a dud.
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