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There was an article in Scientific
American some time back concerning the Shkval torpedo (it is actually traveling
at supersonic speed…that speed is lower with greater density) concerning
its design and technical aspects. The weapon is very short range as it
takes an enormous amount of energy to reach this speed (but less than would be
predicted by normal hydrodynamics cubed function due to the vaporization (not
evaporation) that takes place at the nose) It also pretty much travels in
a straight course due to the inability to control flight. Both of these
points are noted by Fleet admiral Baltin in his comments. You will find you will have your hands
full traveling at greater than 3 knots due to limited visibility and the
greater effort required to effect a course change as speed increases in a PSUB.
Another issue with higher speed in a manned submersible is that it is easier to
have an adverse depth transient occur (you are operating outside of the
envelope) and pass crush depth before you can recover. Respectfully, Jay From: owner- Hi Jay. Thanks for the info. Scary and amazing stuff. I am more
interested though in the mechanics of how a torpedo (or vehicle) can travel
this fast rather than the political aspects of it. What an amazing
speed 223 mph is underwater. It still boggles my mind. Imagine having a personal sub that could travel that fast. I
remember the now defunct t.v. show called Seaquest with their very fast single person fighter subs. If this
torpedo technology that evaporates the water in front of the torpedo so it can travel in a bubble could be applied to personal subs,
fiction might become reality. It will be very interesting to see what the next 50 years will bring in technology
regarding small subs (if the world doesn't blow itself up first). I wish I
could be here to see it. Bill Akins. |