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Japanese 45 cm torpedo
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Japanese 45 cm torpedo
Numerous 45 cm (17.7-inch or 18-inch) torpedoes have been used by the Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. The size category has not been used by Japan since the end of the Second World War.
Torpedoes of 18-inch caliber were much more common during the early 20th century. Historically, this size category was often used by aircraft. Submarines and surface ships generally used 53 cm torpedoes, and surface ships additionally used 61 cm torpedoes. Japan also employs 32 cm torpedoes which conform to the NATO 12.75-inch (323.8mm) standard originally defined by the dimensions of the Mark 46 torpedo; these are dedicated ASW weapons, often delivered via aircraft. Due to their historical importance, this page also includes the smaller 14-inch (35.6cm) predecessors to the 45 cm torpedoes, and some of the miscellaneous developments during the Second World War.
Up to the beginning of the First World War, Japan had used more torpedoes against live targets than all the other navies of the world combined. During that time period, the torpedoes listed in this article were the primary ones employed.
Prior to 6 October 1917, imperial measurements were used. After this date, metric units were used. As such, the 18-inch torpedoes were designated as 45 cm torpedoes. Japanese torpedoes have usually conformed to the 45 cm (17.7-inch or 18-inch), the 53 cm (21-inch), and the 61 cm (24-inch) calibers.
The Japanese type designation scheme has mostly used three different approaches. Units designed prior to the end of the Second World War relied on the traditional Japanese calendar and were designated by either the regnal era year or the imperial year. In 1873, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Japan; during the latter half of the 20th century, Japan increasingly switched to using this system, and as such, more recent torpedoes have type designations denoting Gregorian years. As an example of all three systems, a torpedo designed or accepted for service in 1980 could potentially be called either a Type 55 (Showa Era year 55), a Type 40 (Imperial Year 2640), or a Type 80 (Gregorian year 1980).
Following the proclamation of the Meiji Restoration, the subsequent Boshin War, and the ramifications of its resolution, Japan rapidly modernized. This included the adoption of new technologies for its navy. Prior to Japan developing its own torpedoes, specimens were purchased from Schwartzkopff and Whitehead during the 1880s and 1890s. These would see use in the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. The use of torpedoes during these two wars proved highly successful, and had a long-lasting effect on Japanese naval doctrine.
These early torpedoes, all with a 14-inch (35.6 cm) diameter, were sold on the global market with very little restriction. International clients would often purchase knock-down kits and complete assembly of the weapons in their respective countries, both to save money and avoid the difficulty of having torpedo warheads shipped to them. Schwartzkopff's torpedoes were more expensive, but more desirable for smaller navies due to their bronze construction, because steel required constant careful maintenance to stave off corrosion. Whitehead would become especially prominent, with the factory in Fiume reaching an annual output of 800 torpedoes after 1875. Early models from both firms varied in size as they were incrementally developed. Upon adoption for Japanese service, the torpedoes received type designations, as well as the label of either "Shu" (シュ) or "Ho" (ホ), which corresponded to the first syllable of the developer's name ("Schwartzkopff" was spelled as シュワルツコフ, and "Whitehead" was spelled as ホワイトヘッド). After 1892, Whitehead torpedoes outclassed all rival designs of the 19th century. Japan would switch all of its future orders for torpedoes to Whitehead, beginning in 1895. The early 14-inch torpedoes would see active use on Japanese ships, such as Matsushima and Yoshino. Although purchases of Schwartzkopff torpedoes ceased in 1895, and numerous torpedoes were expended in warfare, British intelligence reported in 1908 that approximately 800 Schwartzkopff torpedoes in four variations remained in active service stockpiles, obtained from sources which were unaccounted for. According to the report, aside from the Shu Types 84 and 88, there was a faster version of the Shu Type 84 (24 knots) and a heavier version of the Shu Type 88 (90 kg warhead).
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Japanese 45 cm torpedo
Numerous 45 cm (17.7-inch or 18-inch) torpedoes have been used by the Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. The size category has not been used by Japan since the end of the Second World War.
Torpedoes of 18-inch caliber were much more common during the early 20th century. Historically, this size category was often used by aircraft. Submarines and surface ships generally used 53 cm torpedoes, and surface ships additionally used 61 cm torpedoes. Japan also employs 32 cm torpedoes which conform to the NATO 12.75-inch (323.8mm) standard originally defined by the dimensions of the Mark 46 torpedo; these are dedicated ASW weapons, often delivered via aircraft. Due to their historical importance, this page also includes the smaller 14-inch (35.6cm) predecessors to the 45 cm torpedoes, and some of the miscellaneous developments during the Second World War.
Up to the beginning of the First World War, Japan had used more torpedoes against live targets than all the other navies of the world combined. During that time period, the torpedoes listed in this article were the primary ones employed.
Prior to 6 October 1917, imperial measurements were used. After this date, metric units were used. As such, the 18-inch torpedoes were designated as 45 cm torpedoes. Japanese torpedoes have usually conformed to the 45 cm (17.7-inch or 18-inch), the 53 cm (21-inch), and the 61 cm (24-inch) calibers.
The Japanese type designation scheme has mostly used three different approaches. Units designed prior to the end of the Second World War relied on the traditional Japanese calendar and were designated by either the regnal era year or the imperial year. In 1873, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Japan; during the latter half of the 20th century, Japan increasingly switched to using this system, and as such, more recent torpedoes have type designations denoting Gregorian years. As an example of all three systems, a torpedo designed or accepted for service in 1980 could potentially be called either a Type 55 (Showa Era year 55), a Type 40 (Imperial Year 2640), or a Type 80 (Gregorian year 1980).
Following the proclamation of the Meiji Restoration, the subsequent Boshin War, and the ramifications of its resolution, Japan rapidly modernized. This included the adoption of new technologies for its navy. Prior to Japan developing its own torpedoes, specimens were purchased from Schwartzkopff and Whitehead during the 1880s and 1890s. These would see use in the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. The use of torpedoes during these two wars proved highly successful, and had a long-lasting effect on Japanese naval doctrine.
These early torpedoes, all with a 14-inch (35.6 cm) diameter, were sold on the global market with very little restriction. International clients would often purchase knock-down kits and complete assembly of the weapons in their respective countries, both to save money and avoid the difficulty of having torpedo warheads shipped to them. Schwartzkopff's torpedoes were more expensive, but more desirable for smaller navies due to their bronze construction, because steel required constant careful maintenance to stave off corrosion. Whitehead would become especially prominent, with the factory in Fiume reaching an annual output of 800 torpedoes after 1875. Early models from both firms varied in size as they were incrementally developed. Upon adoption for Japanese service, the torpedoes received type designations, as well as the label of either "Shu" (シュ) or "Ho" (ホ), which corresponded to the first syllable of the developer's name ("Schwartzkopff" was spelled as シュワルツコフ, and "Whitehead" was spelled as ホワイトヘッド). After 1892, Whitehead torpedoes outclassed all rival designs of the 19th century. Japan would switch all of its future orders for torpedoes to Whitehead, beginning in 1895. The early 14-inch torpedoes would see active use on Japanese ships, such as Matsushima and Yoshino. Although purchases of Schwartzkopff torpedoes ceased in 1895, and numerous torpedoes were expended in warfare, British intelligence reported in 1908 that approximately 800 Schwartzkopff torpedoes in four variations remained in active service stockpiles, obtained from sources which were unaccounted for. According to the report, aside from the Shu Types 84 and 88, there was a faster version of the Shu Type 84 (24 knots) and a heavier version of the Shu Type 88 (90 kg warhead).
Specifications: