Difference between revisions of "Type 93 Model 3 (610 mm)"

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<!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
 
<!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
  
The Type 93 Model 3 torpedo is one of the best ship-launched torpedoes in the game, with its long 15 km range, fast 91 km/h top speed, and massive 998.4 kg TNT equivalent explosive charge. Carried by certain destroyers in late war configurations, these effective weapons allow them to remain a threat to targets where the main battery is ineffective.
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The '''Type 93 Model 3''' is one of two versions of the 24-inch (610 mm) Type 93 torpedoes, the other being the [[Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 (610 mm)|Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2]]. Mounted on many destroyers and cruisers in the Japanese naval tech tree, the Type 93 torpedo has one of the furthest range and is one of the largest and fastest ship-launched torpedoes in the game. This powerful torpedo can allow even light ships to remain effective against the most armoured ships in the game.
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
<!--''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the torpedo.''-->
 
<!--''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the torpedo.''-->
 +
 +
The Type 93 Model 3 torpedo has a diameter of 610 mm, a length of 9 m, and weighs 2,800 kg. It can travel at a maximum speed of 91 km/h for 15.00 km. The Torpedo Mode modification is not available for this torpedo.
  
 
=== Effective damage ===
 
=== Effective damage ===
 
<!--''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of torpedo (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''-->
 
<!--''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of torpedo (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''-->
  
The {{PAGENAME}} carries the most powerful warhead of any torpedo in the game with 998.4 kg TNT equivalence. Even a single hit by this powerful torpedo is enough to sink even the most armoured targets.
+
The Type 93 Model 3 torpedo carries 780 kg Type 97 warhead, which is equivalent to 998.4 kg TNT. This makes it the single most powerful ship-launched torpedo in the game. A single hit is usually enough to sink most destroyers and cruisers.
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
<!--''Give a comparative description of torpedoes that have firepower equal to this weapon.''-->
 
<!--''Give a comparative description of torpedoes that have firepower equal to this weapon.''-->
  
The other variant of the Type 93 torpedo is the [[Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2]]. Although the Type 93 Model 3 has a shorter range by 5 km, it carries a warhead more than 50% greater than that of the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2. The only other torpedo that comes close to the Type 93 Model 3 in terms of explosive power is the [[Mk.16|21-inch Mk.16]]. Even then, the warhead of the Mk.16 is over 80 kg smaller at 915.2 kg TNT equivalence, and its range is much smaller at 6.4 km.
+
The other version of the Type 93 torpedo in the game, [[Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 (610 mm)|Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2]], has a much smaller warhead, 627.2 kg TNT equivalence, though it does have a larger maximum range of 20 km. The maximum speeds of both torpedoes are the same. The Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 also has access to a Torpedo Mode modification, though this is currently only available on {{Specs-Link|jp_cruiser_sendai}}. With the Torpedo Mode installed, the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 can travel for 28 km at a speed of 74 km/h.
 +
 
 +
Besides the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2, there are several torpedoes of note: the [[Mk.16 (533 mm)|Mk.16 torpedo]], the [[Seal DM2A1 (533 mm)|Seal DM2A1 torpedo]], the [[53-39 (533 mm)|53-39 torpedo]], and the [[Type 89 (533 mm)|Type 89 torpedo]]. The Mk.16 torpedo has a large explosive mass of 915.2 kg TNT equivalence — in fact, the second-highest in the game after the Type 93 Model 3 — but it can only travel at 85 km/h for 6.4 km. The Seal DM2A1 torpedo has a larger maximum range than the Type 93 Model 3 at 20 km, but it can only travel at 61 km/h and only has a 250 kg TNT equivalent warhead. The 53-49 torpedo has a slightly higher maximum speed, 94 km/h, but it has a smaller warhead, 317 kg TNT equivalence, and can only travel for 4 km. Finally, the Type 89 torpedo actually surpasses the Type 93 Model 3 quite substantially in both maximum range and speed, 38 km and 102 km/h respectively; however, it has a smaller warhead, only 267 kg TNT equivalence.
 +
 
 +
Compared to common torpedoes mounted on destroyers and cruisers among other nations:
 +
 
 +
* [[Mk.15 (533 mm)]]: The Mk.15 has a lower maximum range (5.5 km), has a lower maximum speed (83 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (224 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the Mk.15 has a lower maximum range (9.15 km) and has a lower maximum speed (62 km/h).
  
Compared with other common torpedoes used on destroyers and cruisers ([[Mk.15]], [[G7a]], [[G7E (mod.T5a)]], [[53-38]], [[53-39]], [[Mark V]], and [[Mark IX]]), while some can match or even surpass the Type 93 Model 3 in speed, none come close to combining that with long range and a large explosive charge.
+
* [[G7a (533 mm)]]: The G7a has a lower maximum range (6 km), has a lower maximum speed (81 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (358.4 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the G7a has a lower maximum range (14 km) and has a lower maximum speed (56 km/h).
 +
 
 +
* [[G7e (mod. T5a) (533 mm)]]: The G7e has a lower maximum range (8 km), has a lower maximum speed (41 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (256 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the G7e has a lower maximum range (16 km) and has a lower maximum speed (24.3 km/h).
 +
 
 +
* [[53-38 (533 mm)]]: The 53-38 has a lower maximum range (4 km), has a lower maximum speed (82 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (300 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the 53-38 has a lower maximum range (10 km) and has a lower maximum speed (56 km/h).
 +
 
 +
* [[Mk.V (533 mm)]]: The Mk.V has a lower maximum range (9.6 km), has a lower maximum speed (74 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (305 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the Mk.V has a lower maximum range (12.35 km) and has a lower maximum speed (46 km/h).
 +
 
 +
* [[Mk.IX (533 mm)]]: The Mk.IX has a lower maximum range (9.6 km), has a lower maximum speed (67 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (340 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the Mk.IX has a lower maximum range (12.35 km) and has a lower maximum speed (56 km/h).
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!--''Describe situations when you would utilise this torpedo in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''-->
 
<!--''Describe situations when you would utilise this torpedo in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''-->
One useful feature of the Type 93 Model 3 torpedo is that on all ships which carry it, extra torpedoes are stored on the ship which allows the torpedo launchers to be reloaded in battle, usually enough for one full reload of the torpedo launchers. While limiting the number of torpedoes the ship can send at once, this feature can be very useful, allowing these ships to carry a much larger amount of torpedoes than other ships. This is particularly useful in [[Realistic Battles]] as a single ship can launch multiple salvos of torpedoes without having to visit a capture point to reload. In [[Arcade Battles]], this will allow them to have a faster rate of fire for torpedoes, since the torpedoes will replenish faster than the standard Arcade reload, allowing multiple waves of torpedoes to be launched at a quick pace.
 
  
The Type 93 Model 3 is a very useful weapon in the Encounter game mode, as their long-range and fast speed will allow them to strike at the enemy convoy immediately from spawn. They can also be used against players by firing a large spread in an area where many ships are likely to pass through, such as a narrow pass. They can catch an enemy ship off-guard at a distance where most other torpedoes will not be able to reach and can effectively shut down sections of the map where they are launched.
+
One useful feature of the Type 93 Model 3 torpedo is that on all ships that carry them, extra torpedoes are stored on the ship, which allows the torpedo launchers to be reloaded in battle, usually enough for one full reload of the torpedo launchers. While this does limit the number of torpedoes the ship can send at once, the total amount of torpedoes is often much more than what destroyers and cruisers of other nations can carry. This is useful in [[Realistic Battles]] as a single ship can launch multiple salvos of torpedoes without having to visit a capture point to reload. In [[Arcade Battles]], this will allow the torpedoes launchers to effectively have a faster rate of fire, since the torpedo launchers will refill faster than the standard AB torpedo reload.
 +
 
 +
Be aware though that having extra torpedoes means that the ship essentially has above-deck, unarmoured ammo racks which can destroy the entire ship if detonated. These racks are, of course, emptied as their torpedoes are used to refill the launchers, so it might be a good idea to launch off at least enough torpedoes to empty the racks right away after spawning in. Unlike other torpedoes and fortunately for the Type 93 Model 3, its unique combination of both a large maximum range and a fast top speed make such strategies viable. By firing a wide salvo at the beginning of the match towards areas where many enemy ships are likely to be pass through (for example, capture points or narrow passes), these sections of the map can effectively be blocked off, and, because of their range and speed, they can catch enemies off-guard who either don't expect seeing torpedoes so early in the match or don't expect seeing torpedoes in areas of the map where other torpedoes usually fail to reach. The Type 93 Model 3 is a particularly useful weapon in the Encounter game mode. The 15 km maximum range just is enough to reach across the entire map. Ships armed with the Type 93 Model 3 torpedoes can strike the enemy team's AI convoy immediately from spawn.  
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
* Carries the most powerful warheads of any torpedo
+
* Largest warhead of any torpedo
* One of the fastest torpedoes in the game
+
* Very high top speed, one of the fastest torpedoes in the game
* Very long-range, around 15 km
+
* Very long range
* Ships that carry Type 93 often carry a large amount
+
* Ships that carry Type 93 Model 3 torpedoes often carry a large amount
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
* Ships that carry Type 93 must reload in order to access entire load
+
* Ships that carry Type 93 Model 3 torpedoes must reload in order to access entire load
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''-->
 
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''-->
Without the required number of capital warships, nor the industry to produce them, to match the United States in the Pacific, Japan would not be able to win a prolonged gunfight with as there would always be more US ships than Japanese. To combat this disadvantage, the Imperial Japanese Navy developed a strategy in which a series of mass torpedo attacks would weaken the US fleet ahead of a major decisive battle. For this, a long-range, stealthy torpedo would be needed. Both the British Royal Navy and the IJN had experimented with oxygen-driven torpedoes in the past; however, after casualties from premature explosion, development halted. It was in the wake of the new battleship HMS Rodney, which carried oxygen torpedoes, that interest renewed in Japan. Taking inspiration from HMS Rodney's torpedoes, development began in 1928 for a long-range, wakeless oxygen torpedo.
 
  
The resulting torpedo was the Type 93 torpedo, referred to as Sanso Gyorai (酸素魚雷, "oxygen torpedo"). The Type 93 torpedo had a diameter of 610 mm (24 inches), was 9 meters (29 feet, 6 inches) long, weighed 2700 kg, and was rather large compared to its contemporaries. Many torpedoes of the time used combustion engines with compressed air oxidizers for propulsion. In contrast, the Type 93 torpedo utilized pure, compressed oxygen as the oxidizer. Air is composed of roughly 20% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, the latter of which was a waste product that manifested as long bubble trails. Using pure oxygen allowed the Type 93 torpedo to effectively quintuple its fuel while also eliminating the nitrogen byproduct. This greatly reduced the torpedo's bubble trail and left it virtually wakeless. The use of oxygen allowed the Type 93 torpedo to carry a large explosive charge, 490 kg of Type 97 explosive, without sacrificing fast speeds and long-range.  
+
Without the required number of capital warships, nor the industry to produce them, to match the United States in the Pacific, Japan would not be able to win a prolonged war with the US or engage them in a massive battle as there would always be more US ships than Japanese ships. To combat this disadvantage, the Imperial Japanese Navy developed a strategy in which a series of mass torpedo attacks would weaken the US fleet ahead of a major decisive battle. For this, a long-range, stealthy torpedo would be needed. Both the British Royal Navy and the IJN had experimented with oxygen torpedoes in the past. The use of oxygen as an oxidizer, while very efficient, is also extremely dangerous, and, after casualties from premature explosion, development halted. It was in the wake of the new British battleship HMS Rodney, which carried oxygen torpedoes, that interest renewed in Japan. Taking inspiration from HMS Rodney's torpedoes, development began again in 1928 for a long-range, wakeless oxygen torpedo.
  
However, it was not without its drawbacks; the torpedo was prone early detonation, so a secondary compressed air tank was used at launch, switching to the oxygen tank once the torpedo was a safe distance away from the launching ship. The Type 93 torpedo was also more susceptible to shrapnel and shock-induced detonation, which lead to the loss of a number of Japanese warships.
+
The resulting torpedo, the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 1 torpedo, referred to as Sanso Gyorai (酸素魚雷, "oxygen torpedo"), entered service in 1935. The Type 93 torpedo had a diameter of 610 mm (24 inches), was 9 meters (29 feet, 6 inches) long, weighed 2700 kg, and, being a 24-inch torpedo, was rather large compared to its contemporaries, most of which were 21-inch torpedoes. Many torpedoes of the time used combustion engines for propulsion with compressed air as the oxidizer. In contrast, the Type 93 torpedo utilized pure, compressed oxygen as its oxidizer. Air is composed of roughly 20% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, the latter of which was a waste product that manifested as long bubble trails. Using pure oxygen allowed the Type 93 torpedo to effectively quintuple its efficiency while also eliminating the nitrogen byproduct. This greatly reduced the torpedo's bubble trail and left it virtually wakeless. The use of oxygen allowed the Type 93 torpedo to carry a large explosive charge, 490 kg of Type 97 explosive, without sacrificing fast speeds or long range.  
  
The Type 93 torpedo entered service in 1935. Japanese light forces would use the Type 93 in night attacks against Allied shipping, where the stealthy torpedo could find its target before the enemy was even aware that there were torpedoes in the water. This, combined with the extreme secrecy of the torpedo, resulted in the loss of many Allied ships. After the war, the Type 93 torpedo was dubbed "Long Lance" in the west.
+
However, this was not without its drawbacks: the torpedo was prone to early detonation. To counter this, a secondary compressed air tank was used at launch, only switching to the oxygen tank once the torpedo was a safe distance away from the launching ship. The Type 93 torpedo was also more susceptible to shrapnel and shock-induced detonation, which lead to the loss of a number of Japanese warships. Most notable is the case of the light cruiser Suzuya, which had its Type 93 torpedoes detonate from a near-miss air attack, sinking the entire ship.
  
Type 93 Model 3 was a late-war version of the Type 93 that was modified to carry a significantly larger explosive charge of 780 kg of Type 97 explosive at the cost of decreased range, between 5 km and 10 km, depending on the speed setting. The Type 93 Model 3 also had a pointed nose, giving it increased speeds, and replaced the compressed air starter tank with a carbon tetrachloride tank, preventing catastrophic detonation in case of ignition. It was designed in 1943 and entered service in 1944.
+
During WWII, Japanese light forces used the Type 93 torpedo in night attacks against Allied shipping, where the stealthy torpedo could often find its target before the enemy was even aware that there was a torpedo attack underway. This, combined with the extreme secrecy of the torpedo, resulted in the loss of many Allied ships and false attributions to some sinkings. After the war, the Type 93 torpedo was dubbed "Long Lance" in the west.
 +
 
 +
Type 93 Model 3 was a late-war version of the Type 93 that was modified to carry a significantly larger explosive charge, 780 kg of Type 97 explosive, at the cost of decreased range, between 5 km and 10 km, depending on the speed setting. The Type 93 Model 3 also had a pointed nose, giving it increased speeds, and replaced the compressed air starter tank with a carbon tetrachloride tank, preventing catastrophic detonation in case of ignition. It was designed in 1943 and entered service in 1944.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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== See also ==
 
== See also ==
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''-->
+
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
* [[Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2]]
+
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* [[Mk.15]]
+
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''-->
 +
 
 +
* [[Type 93 Model 3 (610 mm)]]
 +
* [[Type 89 (533 mm)]]
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* [[Mk.15 (533 mm)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Revision as of 07:43, 20 February 2020

Type 93 Model 3
Type93 Model3.png
Information
Ship-launched TorpedoType
Japan Japan flag.pngCounty of Origin
General Characteristics
610 mm (24")Diameter
9 m (29'6")Length
2,800 kgMass
91 km/hMax Speed
15.00 kmMax Range
1 mDepth Stroke
50 mArming Distance
Type 97Explosive Type
780 kgExplosive Mass
998.4 kgTNT Equivalent
Production History
Imperial Japanese NavyDesigner
Full ProductionProduction Status
1944 - 1945Produced

Description

The Type 93 Model 3 is one of two versions of the 24-inch (610 mm) Type 93 torpedoes, the other being the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2. Mounted on many destroyers and cruisers in the Japanese naval tech tree, the Type 93 torpedo has one of the furthest range and is one of the largest and fastest ship-launched torpedoes in the game. This powerful torpedo can allow even light ships to remain effective against the most armoured ships in the game.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

The Type 93 Model 3 torpedo has a diameter of 610 mm, a length of 9 m, and weighs 2,800 kg. It can travel at a maximum speed of 91 km/h for 15.00 km. The Torpedo Mode modification is not available for this torpedo.

Effective damage

The Type 93 Model 3 torpedo carries 780 kg Type 97 warhead, which is equivalent to 998.4 kg TNT. This makes it the single most powerful ship-launched torpedo in the game. A single hit is usually enough to sink most destroyers and cruisers.

Comparison with analogues

The other version of the Type 93 torpedo in the game, Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2, has a much smaller warhead, 627.2 kg TNT equivalence, though it does have a larger maximum range of 20 km. The maximum speeds of both torpedoes are the same. The Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 also has access to a Torpedo Mode modification, though this is currently only available on IJN Sendai. With the Torpedo Mode installed, the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 can travel for 28 km at a speed of 74 km/h.

Besides the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2, there are several torpedoes of note: the Mk.16 torpedo, the Seal DM2A1 torpedo, the 53-39 torpedo, and the Type 89 torpedo. The Mk.16 torpedo has a large explosive mass of 915.2 kg TNT equivalence — in fact, the second-highest in the game after the Type 93 Model 3 — but it can only travel at 85 km/h for 6.4 km. The Seal DM2A1 torpedo has a larger maximum range than the Type 93 Model 3 at 20 km, but it can only travel at 61 km/h and only has a 250 kg TNT equivalent warhead. The 53-49 torpedo has a slightly higher maximum speed, 94 km/h, but it has a smaller warhead, 317 kg TNT equivalence, and can only travel for 4 km. Finally, the Type 89 torpedo actually surpasses the Type 93 Model 3 quite substantially in both maximum range and speed, 38 km and 102 km/h respectively; however, it has a smaller warhead, only 267 kg TNT equivalence.

Compared to common torpedoes mounted on destroyers and cruisers among other nations:

  • Mk.15 (533 mm): The Mk.15 has a lower maximum range (5.5 km), has a lower maximum speed (83 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (224 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the Mk.15 has a lower maximum range (9.15 km) and has a lower maximum speed (62 km/h).
  • G7a (533 mm): The G7a has a lower maximum range (6 km), has a lower maximum speed (81 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (358.4 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the G7a has a lower maximum range (14 km) and has a lower maximum speed (56 km/h).
  • G7e (mod. T5a) (533 mm): The G7e has a lower maximum range (8 km), has a lower maximum speed (41 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (256 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the G7e has a lower maximum range (16 km) and has a lower maximum speed (24.3 km/h).
  • 53-38 (533 mm): The 53-38 has a lower maximum range (4 km), has a lower maximum speed (82 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (300 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the 53-38 has a lower maximum range (10 km) and has a lower maximum speed (56 km/h).
  • Mk.V (533 mm): The Mk.V has a lower maximum range (9.6 km), has a lower maximum speed (74 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (305 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the Mk.V has a lower maximum range (12.35 km) and has a lower maximum speed (46 km/h).
  • Mk.IX (533 mm): The Mk.IX has a lower maximum range (9.6 km), has a lower maximum speed (67 km/h), and has a smaller explosive mass (340 kg TNT eq.). With the Torpedo Mode modification installed, the Mk.IX has a lower maximum range (12.35 km) and has a lower maximum speed (56 km/h).

Usage in battles

One useful feature of the Type 93 Model 3 torpedo is that on all ships that carry them, extra torpedoes are stored on the ship, which allows the torpedo launchers to be reloaded in battle, usually enough for one full reload of the torpedo launchers. While this does limit the number of torpedoes the ship can send at once, the total amount of torpedoes is often much more than what destroyers and cruisers of other nations can carry. This is useful in Realistic Battles as a single ship can launch multiple salvos of torpedoes without having to visit a capture point to reload. In Arcade Battles, this will allow the torpedoes launchers to effectively have a faster rate of fire, since the torpedo launchers will refill faster than the standard AB torpedo reload.

Be aware though that having extra torpedoes means that the ship essentially has above-deck, unarmoured ammo racks which can destroy the entire ship if detonated. These racks are, of course, emptied as their torpedoes are used to refill the launchers, so it might be a good idea to launch off at least enough torpedoes to empty the racks right away after spawning in. Unlike other torpedoes and fortunately for the Type 93 Model 3, its unique combination of both a large maximum range and a fast top speed make such strategies viable. By firing a wide salvo at the beginning of the match towards areas where many enemy ships are likely to be pass through (for example, capture points or narrow passes), these sections of the map can effectively be blocked off, and, because of their range and speed, they can catch enemies off-guard who either don't expect seeing torpedoes so early in the match or don't expect seeing torpedoes in areas of the map where other torpedoes usually fail to reach. The Type 93 Model 3 is a particularly useful weapon in the Encounter game mode. The 15 km maximum range just is enough to reach across the entire map. Ships armed with the Type 93 Model 3 torpedoes can strike the enemy team's AI convoy immediately from spawn.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Largest warhead of any torpedo
  • Very high top speed, one of the fastest torpedoes in the game
  • Very long range
  • Ships that carry Type 93 Model 3 torpedoes often carry a large amount

Cons:

  • Ships that carry Type 93 Model 3 torpedoes must reload in order to access entire load

History

Without the required number of capital warships, nor the industry to produce them, to match the United States in the Pacific, Japan would not be able to win a prolonged war with the US or engage them in a massive battle as there would always be more US ships than Japanese ships. To combat this disadvantage, the Imperial Japanese Navy developed a strategy in which a series of mass torpedo attacks would weaken the US fleet ahead of a major decisive battle. For this, a long-range, stealthy torpedo would be needed. Both the British Royal Navy and the IJN had experimented with oxygen torpedoes in the past. The use of oxygen as an oxidizer, while very efficient, is also extremely dangerous, and, after casualties from premature explosion, development halted. It was in the wake of the new British battleship HMS Rodney, which carried oxygen torpedoes, that interest renewed in Japan. Taking inspiration from HMS Rodney's torpedoes, development began again in 1928 for a long-range, wakeless oxygen torpedo.

The resulting torpedo, the Type 93 Model 1, Mod 1 torpedo, referred to as Sanso Gyorai (酸素魚雷, "oxygen torpedo"), entered service in 1935. The Type 93 torpedo had a diameter of 610 mm (24 inches), was 9 meters (29 feet, 6 inches) long, weighed 2700 kg, and, being a 24-inch torpedo, was rather large compared to its contemporaries, most of which were 21-inch torpedoes. Many torpedoes of the time used combustion engines for propulsion with compressed air as the oxidizer. In contrast, the Type 93 torpedo utilized pure, compressed oxygen as its oxidizer. Air is composed of roughly 20% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, the latter of which was a waste product that manifested as long bubble trails. Using pure oxygen allowed the Type 93 torpedo to effectively quintuple its efficiency while also eliminating the nitrogen byproduct. This greatly reduced the torpedo's bubble trail and left it virtually wakeless. The use of oxygen allowed the Type 93 torpedo to carry a large explosive charge, 490 kg of Type 97 explosive, without sacrificing fast speeds or long range.

However, this was not without its drawbacks: the torpedo was prone to early detonation. To counter this, a secondary compressed air tank was used at launch, only switching to the oxygen tank once the torpedo was a safe distance away from the launching ship. The Type 93 torpedo was also more susceptible to shrapnel and shock-induced detonation, which lead to the loss of a number of Japanese warships. Most notable is the case of the light cruiser Suzuya, which had its Type 93 torpedoes detonate from a near-miss air attack, sinking the entire ship.

During WWII, Japanese light forces used the Type 93 torpedo in night attacks against Allied shipping, where the stealthy torpedo could often find its target before the enemy was even aware that there was a torpedo attack underway. This, combined with the extreme secrecy of the torpedo, resulted in the loss of many Allied ships and false attributions to some sinkings. After the war, the Type 93 torpedo was dubbed "Long Lance" in the west.

Type 93 Model 3 was a late-war version of the Type 93 that was modified to carry a significantly larger explosive charge, 780 kg of Type 97 explosive, at the cost of decreased range, between 5 km and 10 km, depending on the speed setting. The Type 93 Model 3 also had a pointed nose, giving it increased speeds, and replaced the compressed air starter tank with a carbon tetrachloride tank, preventing catastrophic detonation in case of ignition. It was designed in 1943 and entered service in 1944.

Media

An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

See also

External links


Torpedoes
USA 
450 mm  Mk.7
533 mm  Bliss-Leavitt Mk.1 · Mark 35 · Mk.8 · Mk.8-3 C/D · Mk.15 · Mk.16
569 mm  Mk.13 · Mk.13-6 · Mk.13-6 Case
Germany 
324 mm  Mark 44
450 mm  C/06D · LT 1A/1 · F5W · F5b
500 mm  G6c
533 mm  G7a · Seal DM2A1
600 mm  H/8
USSR 
400 mm  SET-40
450 mm  Pattern 1910 · Pattern 1912 · 45-36NU · 45-36AN · 45-36MAN
533 mm  53-38 · 53-39 · 53-56 · 53-57 · 53-65 · SET-53M · SET-65
Britain 
450 mm  R.G.F. Mark VI** · Mark XII · Mark XV
533 mm  Mark I · Mk.IV · Mk.V · Mk.VIII · Mk.IX · Mk.IX** · 21 inch Mk.20 Bidder
Japan 
324 mm  Mark 46
450 mm  Type 2 · Type 38 No.2 B · Type 43 · Type 44 No.2 · Type 91 Model 2 · Type 91 Model 3
533 mm  Type 6 · Type 43 (1910) · Type 54 Model 3 · Type 72 Model 1 · Type 89
610 mm  Type 8 No.2 · Type 90 · Type 93 Model 1, Mod 2 · Type 93 Model 3
Italy 
450 mm  F200/450 · S.I.170/450X5,25 · W.200/450X5,75 · Whitehead A 110/450
533 mm  S.I.270 · S.I. 250/533,4X7,5 Tipo A · S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo I · S.I. 270/533X6.84 Tipo L · S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo M
France 
400 mm  1926DA
450 mm  1909R
550 mm  Model 1923DT
Sweden 
450 mm  m/38 · m/41
  † = Aerial torpedo
‡ = Aerial and ship-launched torpedo