Have you ever wondered how modern torpedoes can sink a ship with one hit, even if they don’t hit the ship’s hull directly? The answer is a phenomenon called the “bubble jet effect”, which is one of the most devastating phenomena in naval warfare.
The bubble jet effect is essentially an underwater version of a shaped charge, a type of explosive that focuses its blast in a specific direction. When the torpedo explodes under the ship, it creates a bubble that collapses from the bottom upwards, releasing a lot of energy. This causes a secondary explosion that breaks the ship’s hull, making it impossible to repair.
The bubble jet effect was first discovered by British engineer Charles Goodeve during World War II, who noticed that some ships were sunk by mines without any visible damage. He realized that the mines were detonating under the ships, creating a bubble that lifted and broke the ships.
The bubble jet effect can also create a powerful jet of water that can shoot up over hundred meters in the air if the bubble reaches the surface. This can be seen as a spectacular fountain of water that marks the sinking of the ship.
One example of a ship that was sunk by a torpedo using the bubble jet effect is the ROKS Cheonan, a South Korean ship that was cut in half by a North Korean torpedo in 2010, killing 46 sailors. The torpedo used a high-explosive warhead that created a bubble under the ship’s stern, causing it to snap off.
The bubble jet effect is not only lethal to surface ships, but also to submarines. The shock wave generated by the bubble can crush the hull of a submerged vessel, even if it is not directly hit by the torpedo.
However, modern torpedoes are not invincible. They have limitations such as low speed, short range, and high vulnerability to countermeasures. That’s why some countries are developing hypersonic torpedoes, which are a new type of weapon that can travel faster than the speed of sound underwater and use supercavitation to reduce drag and increase range.
Hypersonic torpedoes are still in development and face many technical challenges, such as noise reduction, guidance system, propulsion system, and material durability. They are designed to overcome the limitations of conventional torpedoes and pose a new threat to naval warfare.
The bubble jet effect and hypersonic torpedoes are examples of how science and technology can change the course of history and shape the future of warfare. They show how powerful and destructive weapons can be created using simple principles of physics and engineering.
Relevant articles:
– TIL Modern torpedoes do not work by hitting a ship’s hull. Instead they detonate directly underneath the ship, exploiting the “bubble jet effect” | Reddit | 2023-04-15
– How a Torpedo Can Sink a Ship With One Hit | Popular Mechanics | 2023-08-07
– The Deadly Science Behind Modern Torpedoes | The National Interest | 2023-08-05
– The Future of Naval Warfare: Hypersonic Torpedoes? | The Diplomat | 2023-08-03