Ginocchio towed torpedo
| Ginocchio towed torpedo | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | World War II |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
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| Length |
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|
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| Warhead | Trinitrotolulene (TNT) |
| Warhead weight | 30 kg (66 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | inertial fuze |
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| |
| Maximum depth | 53 m (174 ft) |
Steering system | towed |
Launch platform | Ship |
The Ginocchio towed torpedo was based on an Italian concept of World War I and consisted of a towed torpedo that was streamed over the stern near a submarine contact in the hope that it would strike the submarine, triggering its warhead. Depth-keeping proved to be a problem during sea trials and it does not appear to have ever been operationally used.
Development and description
The French began development on the Ginocchio, based on a wartime Italian concept, during the 1920s, but depth-keeping was erratic and the project was formally suspended in 1933 after trials in the Chacal and Bourrasque-class destroyers. The project was revived in late 1938 for the ships of the latter class, but was cancelled in October 1939.[1]
The Ginocchio came in two models, both of which had a 30-kilogram (66 lb) warhead of Trinitrotolulene.
- The "medium" had a depth capability of 15 to 37 meters (49 to 121 ft); it weighed 62 kilograms (137 lb) and was 1.62 meters (5 ft 4 in) long.
- The "depth" model had a maximum depth of 53 meters (174 ft), weighed 75.5 kilograms (166 lb) and was 1.72 meters (5 ft 8 in) long.[2]
Citations
References
- Jordan, John & Moulin, Jean (2015). French Destroyers: Torpilleurs d'Escadre & Contre-Torpilleurs 1922–1956. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-198-4.