Torpedo sound levels and enemy detection

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

Originally Posted by Capt Jack Harkness

Looking in weapons.txt I found that the Mk 16 emits 140 dB at all times, makes sense. The Mk 37 starts at 120 dB, also makes sense, but then jumps to a whopping 230 dB as soon as it's enabled! No wonder anyone anywhere can hear it activate. The Mk 48 similarly starts at 160 dB and jumps to 230 dB when enabled.

The only reason Mark 16 doesn't leap, I think, is that it is straight running and it isn't going to work if the enemy can hear and dodge it. The whole "whopping" leap is probably a game feature that both simulates the active regime plus ensures both sides get SOME warning of torpedoes. It might not be very realistic, but it is kind of fair.