In message , phil hunt
writes
On Thu, 7 Aug 2003 15:52:16 +0100, Keith Willshaw keith@kwil
lshaw_NoSpam.demon.co.uk wrote:
An absolute desperation weapon adopted only the Russians

Explain why cavitating torpedos are a desperation weapon, please.

They're LOUD. So, the enemy knows they're coming from the moment you
fire; which means they're good counterfire weapons, but not much use if
you enjoy an acoustic advantage. Shkval is a means to try to redress "we
are noisier than the enemy, and have poorer sonar": it's designed to be
a response to hearing "high speed screws, Green 150, torpedo inbound,
bearing steady!"

For above-water use, you have to get close, because they're unguided.
Even at 200 knots, the huge noise signature means the enemy will alter
course and speed at once, so long range shots are unlikely to succeed.

Like some other Russian weapons, it's an elegant and well-engineered
solution to a particular problem they faced, that works much less well
when transplanted to other roles and export markets.

Given that air superiority is obviously a good idea, which aircraft
supplies the most air superiority capability per money spent? The
F-22 (assuming the USA would sell it)? The F-35? The Typhoon?
Something else?

Typhoon for bang-per-buck, F-22 for absolute if costly capability per
airframe. Haggle to see what both factions will sell for, and how
degraded the 'export version' is.

--
When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite.
W S Churchill

Paul J. Adam