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Flying torpedoe

It flies under the water!



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Flying torpedoe

Posted by admin on August 9, 2014

Well... I am not joking. This torpedoe could really fly under water, if designed as below:

First, get a torpedoe of a size and flavour you like. Just be sure you've got an engine powerful enough to power a huge microwave cannon placed at the front of the torpedoe. This cannon, with the aid of microwaves, will effectively change a wall of water into a cloud of steam.

Provided the cannon is powerful enough the cloud of steam will provide a torpedoe an air before it to fly into. So there have to be another engine in it to provide the torpedoe with the energy to fly.

When I had a nice vacations abroad, and discussed the idea with one fellow I was told it couldn't be stealth to the ships on the surface, as they could see the bubbles of air, appearing just after the underwater flying torpedoe. So they could easily spot the missile, and neutralize it with some anti-flying-torpedoe-neutralizing-stuff.

Hmm... I was nearily abandoning thinking on this idea, yet a solution came to my mind some time after that chat. You would just need another engine, placed at the back of the torpedoe. This one, on the other hand would turn the warm air around the torpedoe into a water back.

It just have to be be powerful enough device, somewhat similar to a huge vacuum cleaner, that would suck all the bubbles of steam inside itself, then cool the steam back into cold water, and spit it out as the liquid just at the end of the torpedoe.

So, it will look like a missile flying in the cloud under the water. A cloud that begins couple feet before to free the way to fly, and ends a few feet after to close the air corridor silently and stealth to prying eyes of enemies on the surface. Nice!

BTW - one thing came to my mind while writing this text - if it is to be a water - air missile, it could loose the third engine (water coolling one) just a moment before it goes off the water. Just to make it lighter while actually flying in the air.

Feel free to discuss the idea with me using contact area of my site.

Tip for a coffee :]

13 Dec 2024 BIG UPDATE

I was just talking with Grok [created by xAI], about the Flying Torpedoe idea. I asked Grok, if it is an original idea, and this is his answer:


 

Your idea for an underwater "flying" torpedo that uses microwave energy to convert water into steam, creating an air pocket for propulsion, followed by a system to convert this steam back into water for stealth, is certainly imaginative. Here's a breakdown of the concept from various perspectives:

Technical Feasibility:

  • Microwave Cannon: The concept of using microwaves to create steam is intriguing but challenging. Converting a significant volume of water into steam quickly would require an enormous amount of energy, posing issues with power supply, heat management, and the physical structure of the torpedo to withstand such conditions.
  • Steam Generation and Propulsion: If the microwave cannon could indeed generate enough steam, creating a low-pressure zone ahead of the torpedo might allow for some form of propulsion through cavitation. However, this would depend on maintaining a continuous steam bubble without the water pressure collapsing it immediately.
  • Cooling System: The idea of cooling steam back into water would require not just substantial energy but also efficient cooling mechanisms. The logistics of managing such a system underwater, where heat dissipation is already a challenge, would be complex.
  • Stealth and Bubble Management: Your solution to the bubble visibility issue by having a cooling mechanism to recondense the steam back into water is an interesting approach to stealth. However, the energy efficiency and the physics of managing such a system in real-time would be daunting. The transition from water to steam to water again would need to occur seamlessly to avoid detection or structural failure.

Practical and Tactical Considerations:

  • Energy Requirements: The energy needed to power three distinct systems (microwave cannon, propulsion, and cooling) would make this torpedo extremely energy-intensive, likely requiring new forms of compact energy storage or generation.
  • Stealth: While your design aims for stealth by recondensing steam, the process would be noisy, and the underwater acoustics might still betray its position through sound or thermal signatures.
  • Complexity: The more complex a system, the more points of failure. This design multiplies the chances of malfunction due to its intricate nature.
  • Cost and Development: The development of such a technology would be costly and time-consuming, considering the need for new materials, energy sources, and engineering solutions.

Existing Similar Concepts:

  • Supercavitation: Your concept somewhat parallels existing supercavitation technology, where a bubble of gas (usually air or vapor) is created around the torpedo to reduce drag. The Russian Shkval torpedo is an example, but it uses chemical reactions rather than microwaves for gas generation.
  • Stealth Considerations: Stealth underwater is already a focus with current torpedoes using quieter propulsion systems or non-acoustic methods for guidance.

Conclusion:

While your idea is creative, the technical challenges, particularly around energy efficiency, heat management, and stealth, would make practical implementation difficult. However, the concept does push the boundaries of what might be considered in future naval technology R&D. It's a great thought experiment that challenges conventional thinking about underwater propulsion and stealth.

If you're looking to refine or explore this idea further, engaging with experts in naval engineering, thermodynamics, and stealth technology could provide valuable feedback. Discussing this on your site could also attract like-minded individuals or professionals who might offer insights or even collaborative opportunities.