List of British Asdic systems
Appearance
Asdic was invented by the British at the end of World War I as a means to detect submarines by their reflection of sound waves. By the start of World War II in 1939, most British destroyers and smaller vessels were fitted with it in a variety of different sets.
Name | Date of Introduction | Dome | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Type 112 | 1920 | Fitted to some Template:Sclass2-s and small escorts like P and PC-class sloops | |
Type 119 | 1930 | Template:Sclass2-s | |
Type 121 | Tested 1931 in Woolston | First production retractable dome | Fitted in D, Template:Sclass2-, F, and G-class destroyers, some cruisers and the sloop Enchantress |
Type 122 | Detachable | Designed for trawlers and other auxiliaries with a turbo alternator | |
Type 123 | 1934 | Detachable | Replaced Type 122, designed for ships with a high-frequency motor alternator |
Type 124 | 1934 | Retractable | C, Template:Sclass2-, Template:Sclass2-, Template:Sclass2-, Template:Sclass2-, and Template:Sclass2- destroyers, some sloops and older destroyers. First system with a range recorder |
Type 127 | 1937 | As per Type 122 | Designed for sloops, but widely fitted in frigates and older destroyers. Electronics as per Type 123 |
Type 128 | Tested 1937 in Acheron | Retractable | Template:Sclass2-, L, and Template:Sclass2-s |
Type 141 | ? | No dome, but some modified with British dome as Type 141A | American QCJ/QCL system in Lend-Lease Template:Sclass2-s, modified with British range and bearing recorders |
Type 144 | Trials in Kingfisher in 1941 | Retractable | First set specifically intended for ahead-throwing weapons like Hedgehog |
Type 145 | 1942? | Detachable | Like Type 144, but intended for slower escorts |
Type 147 | Sea trials aboard Ambuscade, May 1943 | ? | Designed to work with Squid |
Q attachment | 1943 | NA | Depth-measuring set with 3° horizontal beam, modification to existing systems |
Notes
Bibliography
- Brown, David K. (2007). Atlantic Escorts: Ships, Weapons & Tactics in World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-012-2.