About TDC and other intercept calculations

_Seth_ · 12-02-06, 04:57 AM

Considering the fact that the TDC and other intercept plans runs on a "straigh-forward" basis, i was just wondering how this would have worked in real life. Did other factors like sea currents play a role in the target computing?

Corsair · 12-02-06, 05:24 AM

In the area of operations, there are not imho many places with strong currents, except may be if you go hunting around places with heavy tide currents like Wight into Southampton (not really recommended) or near Cherbourg or the Channel Islands (all my racing sailing grounds for many years...). Therefore the average current speeds must be around 1 / 2 knts, which doesn't have a lot of influence on a torp going 30 knts. In some places stated above, you can find by big tides currents up to 6 / 7 Knts...
All in all, they are more important for navigation than for shooting. If you are doing 2 knts at slow speed underwater and have a 2 or 3 knts cross current, then you better take it into consideration...

Unfortunately not modeled in the game, but impossible task on such a huge area... I only have to count on them when I am sailing online Virtual Skipper IV...

Sailor Steve · 12-02-06, 11:58 AM

A sea current is going to be wide enough that the sub, torpedo and target ship are all within the same current, so there is no effect. It's kind of like riding in a hot-air balloon; you never feel any wind because you are moving at the same speed as the wind, so it's dead calm all the time.

_Seth_ · 12-02-06, 01:58 PM

Thanx mates, i hope SHIV has something like currents. Or at least tidal changes.

Corsair · 12-02-06, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

A sea current is going to be wide enough that the sub, torpedo and target ship are all within the same current, so there is no effect. It's kind of like riding in a hot-air balloon; you never feel any wind because you are moving at the same speed as the wind, so it's dead calm all the time.

Agreed talking about the Gulf Stream, not the same with tide currents in the Channel... From my sailing experience in these waters, you can have currents going opposite directions a few hundred meters from each other. That's what makes the fun when racing in places like the Isle of Wight or the Scilly Islands for instance.
The tide is also playing with the depth (in my hometown, you can have on big tides more than 10m difference between high and low tide)
Well, just for talking, anyway...

Sailor Steve · 12-02-06, 05:15 PM

But that ignores the prime u-boat rule: STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!(apologies to jimbuna):rotfl:

I agree, contrary currents would make it more entertaining, but on the other hand I don't recall reading any sub skipper complaining about that sort of thing, so it couldn't be too common.

mookiemookie · 12-02-06, 05:21 PM

I know currents played a role in other matters. Remember in Das Boot, the plan was to submerge at the entrance to Gibraltar and let the currents take them in, in order to save battery life?

Interesting question!

12-02-06, 04:57 AM	#1
_Seth_ Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In Tromsoe, @Tirpitz' final resting place.. Posts: 3,277 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	About TDC and other intercept calculations Considering the fact that the TDC and other intercept plans runs on a "straigh-forward" basis, i was just wondering how this would have worked in real life. Did other factors like sea currents play a role in the target computing? __________________

12-02-06, 05:24 AM	#2
Corsair Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toulouse France Posts: 1,140 Downloads: 51 Uploads: 0	In the area of operations, there are not imho many places with strong currents, except may be if you go hunting around places with heavy tide currents like Wight into Southampton (not really recommended) or near Cherbourg or the Channel Islands (all my racing sailing grounds for many years...). Therefore the average current speeds must be around 1 / 2 knts, which doesn't have a lot of influence on a torp going 30 knts. In some places stated above, you can find by big tides currents up to 6 / 7 Knts... All in all, they are more important for navigation than for shooting. If you are doing 2 knts at slow speed underwater and have a 2 or 3 knts cross current, then you better take it into consideration... Unfortunately not modeled in the game, but impossible task on such a huge area... I only have to count on them when I am sailing online Virtual Skipper IV... __________________ NYGM 3.4A / Living SH3 V5.1 + SH3 Commander

12-02-06, 11:58 AM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	A sea current is going to be wide enough that the sub, torpedo and target ship are all within the same current, so there is no effect. It's kind of like riding in a hot-air balloon; you never feel any wind because you are moving at the same speed as the wind, so it's dead calm all the time. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-02-06, 01:58 PM	#4
_Seth_ Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In Tromsoe, @Tirpitz' final resting place.. Posts: 3,277 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	Thanx mates, i hope SHIV has something like currents. Or at least tidal changes. __________________

12-02-06, 05:15 PM	#6
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	But that ignores the prime u-boat rule: STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!(apologies to jimbuna):rotfl: I agree, contrary currents would make it more entertaining, but on the other hand I don't recall reading any sub skipper complaining about that sort of thing, so it couldn't be too common. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-02-06, 05:21 PM	#7
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	I know currents played a role in other matters. Remember in Das Boot, the plan was to submerge at the entrance to Gibraltar and let the currents take them in, in order to save battery life? Interesting question! __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.