asroc |
anti submarine rocket |
Typical ASROC Mk 112 launcher. with one section raise in firing position. Torpedoes
were fired at a 45 degree angle. On New ASROC launcher was mounted on a carriege
like the gun mounts to turn a radius. Mounted on O1 level midship. |
During the fifties the Soviet navy was the growing threat to world peace. They were
rapidly building subs that could stay under longer and move faster and more
silent than before. Nuclear propulsion plants added to the speed, depth and maneuverability
of subs. New weapons were needed and ASROC was the best one developed
for this threat. It was a stand off weapon. Could be fired at a distance and
used both depth charge and torpedo. Even in todays navy it is the most
effective ASW weapon available. Many Gearings were equipped with ASROC for FRAM
I conversion. In 1964 when New completed the conversion it came from the
shipyards a modern and deadly weapon that could most effectively detect, track
and kill an enemy sub target. CIC and Sonar worked closely to track course and
speed of the targetand maintain a position and up to the second information was
relayed to Bridge and ASW offcer.It then became as it always was, a battle of
wits between sub and destroyer commanders, who could outmaneuver the other and
make the kill. ASROC and the other ASW weapons such as DASH and the modern Mk
32 triple tube torpedo mounts. ASROC was then and is today one hell
of a weapon. Below are a few pictures. Some from the New. Test firing was done on the Higbee, DD 806. If I can find any from New I would love to have them for this page. ASROC and the other ASW weaponry New was given would make them as deadly to the newer nuclear boats as they were during WW II. This section gives an overview of ASW weapons thru the years.From the depth charge to ASROC. DASH is included on another page. |
more to be added, this ain't all folks |