MovieChat Forums > The Hunt for Red October (1990) Discussion > Aft torpedoes?

Aft torpedoes?

posted 7 years ago by Hans-Wilhelm (1359)
9 replies | jump to latest

Those who have served on submarines or have studied them, how many directions can they launch their torpedoes from, specifically do they have rear facing tubes that allow them to launch at enemy subs tailing them?

When the Dallas had its tubes flooded and doors open, the Red October crew began prepping their tubes and Ramius was asked whether or not to open their doors. Since they were being tailed I was curious as to how they would fight back or return fire on the Dallas (if she had decided to attack). Do they have tubes that launch out the rear, engaging threats behind them?

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

From what I've read (and I'm not a student so don't put too much stock in it), aft torpedo tubes are few and far between and mostly never used for anything. There's a handful of subs that had them but none of them seem to be contemporary. The Typhoon class, which the Red October is based on, did not have them.

[–] strntz (12470) 6 years ago

Which then begs the question: could the RO's torpedoes be programmed and launched to do a 180 to hit targets trailing them and not hit themselves...

Seems odd that a sub being chased at it's 6 wouldn't have a weapons system for protection.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

maybe subs dont end up being chased by other subs that often

[–] Kendricks (2239) 6 years ago

Happens all the time. It is almost certain that right now, somewhere some sub is stalking another.
It's what they were build for.

[–] twinA (4921) 6 years ago

Very true. They are quite handy at spying, being able to sneak and disappear out of sight.

[–] Kendricks (2239) 6 years ago

Yes they can. Modern torpedoes are often wire-guided and even if not, you can program a bearing before launch. If a target is too close, that won't work of course/is too dangerous.

[–] strntz (12470) 6 years ago

Thanks.

[–] DrRed (538) 6 years ago

In that scene the Red October was doing a crazy ivan which is basically turning around in a circle. The Dallas alerted the Red October halfway through. So the Red October stopped halfway through turning around and the 2 subs ended up facing each other

[–] oubrioko (106) 6 years ago

Kahn: "Aft torpedoes! . . . FIRE!!!"

Oops, wrong movie. My bad.