CHAPTER XI 

 ANTISUBMARINE ORDNANCE 



The story of Division 6's achievements in the field of 

 antisubmarine and pro-submarine ordnance must of necessity be 

 far less than half-told because of omissions required for 

 continuing security reasons. 



As has been mentioned in the introductory chapter, one 

 of the major projects of Division 6 had to do with the develop- 

 ment of improved torpedoes „ Extensive research on the principles 

 of underwater travel, flight in air, and water entry, produced an 

 aircraft torpedo which could be dropped from great heights and 

 from planes flying at high speed. There need be no more low- 

 speed minimum altitude attacks such as proved so costly at the 

 Battle of Midway, 



The concern of Division 6 with the development of various 

 types of projectiles dated back to 1941 „ The need for knowledge 

 concerning specific projectile characteristics first arose in 

 connection with the attempt of Division 6 to develop more effec- 

 tive antisubmarine weapons. As the needs of the Division grew, 

 so too grew the list of projectiles until it included rockets 

 of many types, bombs, shells, and torpedoes. In addition to 

 the characteristics specifically required of each projectile,, 

 all of the projectiles were expected to have consistently accu- 

 rate travel to the target and to utilize efficiently the applied 

 propulsive force. The methods of propulsion investigated varied 

 over a wide range, from simple fall under the action of gravity 

 to continuous propulsion by means of propellers or jets. 



Research on Fluid Dy namics , 



Early in the life of Division 6, a brief investigation 

 showed that comparatively few reliable data were available 

 concerning the fluid dynamic forces acting on a projectile of 

 a given shape , It was evident that if reliable information to 

 guide the design engineer was to be realized there must be a 

 program of laboratory research. Thus, the Division 6 research 

 program on fluid dynamics was born. 



93 



