Electric is certainly easier to achieve (as a torpedo). But the problem is 'visibility'. I want a wake from my weapons.
Reactive chemistry is fine, but its the problem of keeping the constituents apart until ready for use as well as how to efficiently meeter them out in a sustained, predictable fashion within a gas generator. Remember the KURSK?
I had to deal with Navol (high-test hydrogen peroxide) powered weapons, the MK-16 torpedo. A pain in the ass, and a constant source of expended man-hours to maintain and monitor. Loved the MK-14: dumb, simple, reliable, and other than keeping the air-flask banged up, very low maintenance.
David,
Reactive chemistry is fine, but its the problem of keeping the constituents apart until ready for use as well as how to efficiently meeter them out in a sustained, predictable fashion within a gas generator. Remember the KURSK?
I had to deal with Navol (high-test hydrogen peroxide) powered weapons, the MK-16 torpedo. A pain in the ass, and a constant source of expended man-hours to maintain and monitor. Loved the MK-14: dumb, simple, reliable, and other than keeping the air-flask banged up, very low maintenance.
David,
Comment