Torpedoes are self-propelled weapons designed to detonate on contact with an enemy ship or submarine. They have their own energy source and sophisticated guidance systems, and can be launched from planes, ships, and submarines. The first torpedoes were developed in the mid-1800s and were originally sea mines.
A torpedo is a self-propelled guided weapon designed to be deployed in water, detonating on contact with the hull of an enemy ship or submarine. Any fan of war movies with offshore scenes is probably familiar with the basic concept of the torpedo, and it might come as a surprise to learn that torpedoes are quite old; the first weapon we would recognize as a torpedo was built in 1866, by an enterprising British inventor. Today, most militaries have a wide variety of torpedoes to choose from for an assortment of situations.
Several things distinguish torpedoes from other types of weapons. For one thing, they’re designed to operate in water, with enclosed housings to protect the detonator and explosives from the corrosive effects of seawater. Torpedoes also have their own energy source, which is used to propel the projectile until it reaches its source, and are capable of being steered in some way. Guidance systems are increasingly common on military shells and torpedoes have very sophisticated guidance systems.
There are different ways to launch a torpedo and different designs intended for different applications. Planes can launch torpedoes, which are activated when they hit water, and torpedoes can also be launched from ships and submarines. Once launched, the torpedo typically transforms into its own entity, beyond the control of the people who launched it. Modern torpedoes use a search mechanism to find their targets, by scanning for characteristic signs of a ship or submarine in the water.
The first torpedoes were actually sea mines, fixed explosives planted around harbors and heavily trafficked areas with the aim of sinking the enemy. However, in the mid-1800s, people began to realize that a torpedo that could be launched and steered could be a very useful thing, and the first torpedoes began to be developed. A variety of different styles and designs were played, ranging from cable-guided torpedoes to projectiles that were simply aimed at a target and sent on their way.
The explosives in a torpedo are capable of penetrating the heavy hulls of ships and submarines, and most are calibrated to create the maximum amount of damage. Additionally, when a torpedo is aimed at a vulnerable location such as ammunition magazines, it can trigger secondary explosions, ensuring the target sinks as desired.
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