3 ms·

Russian high-speed torpedos have used super cavitation to envelop the torpedo in a steam of bubbles in order to go much faster: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki

Russian high-speed torpedos have used super cavitation to envelop the torpedo in a steam of bubbles in order to go much faster: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercavitating_torpedo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercavitating_torpedo It has trade offs for torpedos which is why the Russians and other nations continue to develop and deploy conventional designs.

magicsmoke 6y ago
All the noise from the bubbles and rocket engine prevents the torpedo from listening to and tracking its target. Point, shoot, and hope the torpedo gets there before the target moves too far.
- protomyth 6y ago
  Don't the Russians have a guide wire back to the sub?
- adrianN 6y ago
  That doesn't sound like a terrible idea if you can make the torpedo go fast enough.
TheRealPomax 6y ago
Yes, but torpedoes are meant to blow up after firing. Ships aren't. The torpedoes don't have to withstand 60 years of supercavitation damage (unlike ship propellers do, which already can't, and need frequent maintenance and replacement) (also this has nothing to do with supercavitation, it's just a regular bubbler at the bottom of the ship that lets air rush to the surface around the hull)