StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Been trying this for a while, and I was wondering if it were possible to set up a firing solution for the TDC using just the Sonar if the periscope were damaged or if very deep.

montypython wrote:Been trying this for a while, and I was wondering if it were possible to set up a firing solution for the TDC using just the Sonar if the periscope were damaged or if very deep.

Yes, but you'll need a ruler, a map and very good readings

I don't know what drawing tools you have in SHIV (never played it), but if you can do maths, it should be easy. It's FAR easier with active sonar. You also need to know your own position.

So, here's the procedure:

1. Take the first bearing, and ping to get range. Mark the target on the map. Wait two minutes.

2. Take a second bearing, ping again. Mark on the map.

3. If you want more precision, wait another two minutes and repeat as long as you want.

4. Draw a line through the markers on your map.

5. Calculate the speed based on distance travelled by the target in these two-minute intervals.

6. Use a protractor to determine angle-on-the-bow.

7. Set torpedoes for proper depth.

8. Fire. If you did all of the above precisely enough, you should get a hit.

If you're good, you can even fire on the move by analyzing relative motion of your sub and the target. I'm nowhere near that good

Now, if you want to use passive sonar only, you'll need specialized tools and a way to determine speed by sound (computers do that today, hence why a modern sub can set up a firing solution without using any active measures at all). And homing torpedoes, since a passive firing solution is always quite imprecise

In SH3 after a while I was passable at mentally working the angles over a minute or so (for slow targets) and firing a brace. Trying to do it that way and firing a single (guided or not) sounds like madness to me.

Stark wrote:In SH3 after a while I was passable at mentally working the angles over a minute or so (for slow targets) and firing a brace. Trying to do it that way and firing a single (guided or not) sounds like madness to me.

Doing it like the above gets you one torpedo-one ship, though. In SHIII you could get into millions of tonnes by holding on to this adage

Or it gets you nothing. All that work and a complete miss irritates me too much.

Stark wrote:Or it gets you nothing. All that work and a complete miss irritates me too much.

That's because you're sloppy

Precision is the key. I had hits from three of four kilometers using this scheme, though admittedly at that range I always have to use a periscope. It's more precise.

I find that by using a map, ruler and protractor I can get hits precise to a single MOA. Literally, I can hit the fuel bunkers on a ship three kilos away and blow a 20-thousand tonne cruise liner to hell with one torpedo

There is simply no way that you can get a precise angle on the bow just from visuals - they pretty much limit your range to about a kilometer or so. A protractor will beat it every time.