Forest Green
ACCESS: Above Top Secret
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I think they double converted. 26km converts to 14nm. Likely they took a 14nm figure, thought is was miles and converted it to nm again. A Type 65 is several times the size (10,000lb vs 4,000lb), so not directly comparable.It seems that at depth, Spearfish loses speed, while Mk 48 loses endurance.
Looks like 12.5nm at 80 knots (the 14 mile figure is statute miles), but that checks out. The corresponding figure for a Russian 65-76 torpedo, which can do 50km at 50 knots, is 27,300 yards. A more complete analysis would involve looking at no-escape zones, of course.
I guess that would stop the commander having to get out on deck with a MANPADS like on The Wolf's Call.Interestingly, the crossover point between the two settings for Spearfish is 45 knots. Above that speed, the low-speed setting gives a longer engagement range; above it, the high-speed setting. The existence of such an extreme high-speed setting implies that the Royal Navy was concerned about targets (i.e. submarines) moving very quickly indeed. For the Mark 48, the corresponding speed is 21 knots.
On a slightly more absurd note, if you can get a 30 degree up angle on a Spearfish and broach the surface, it might reach an altitude of 70 feet or so. That's high enough to offer a theoretical anti-helicopter capability. Totally impractical, of course. But amusing to think about.