Range without detection

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by stephenf555

Hi all,
I've read a lot of posts about various techniques of target tracking/intercepting/sinking. I have a question involving range calculation without being detected.

One video I saw for a sonar only attack showed calculation of range by pinging the target. I assume this is ok for a merchant but also assume a destroyer would pick up on the sound and hunt you down. However if I pop up the periscope and have a look around I'm normally spotted a long way off. Normally this means I end of firing while under pressure from destroyers, rather than getting my shots in before anyone knows I'm there.

So is there any way to get range information without being detected (without map updates) or is it just a matter of popping up the periscope for a very short time, getting the info and bringing it down again?

Thanks.
Stephenf555

I wouldn't get too caught up with sonar only attacks. While theoretically possible, they are in practice very difficult. If you don't have radar you are mostly dependant on visual observation. At long range, say >4,000yd, I think you could leave your scope up. At 2,000 to 4,000yd, I would lower it between observations. At less than 2,000yd I would be keep exposures short. Of course, at night, your scope should be nearly invisible.

The other danger, is that you can be heard. It is better to get well ahead of enemy ships, then slow down and let them come to you, than to have to race at high speed to catch up and risk being heard.