Type 91 torpedo

Type 91 torpedo
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Name	Type 91 torpedo
Country	Empire of Japan
Used by	Imperial Japanese Navy
Wars	Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II

Type 91 torpedo was a type of torpedo used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, developed by Naval Arsenal in Kure, Hiroshima. The development of the Type 91 torpedo was influenced by the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty, which led to the Imperial Japanese Navy's focus on submarine and torpedo technology, similar to the German U-boats used by the Kriegsmarine during the Battle of the Atlantic. The Type 91 torpedo was designed to be used on Japanese aircraft carriers, such as the Akagi and Kaga, as well as on Japanese destroyers like the Fubuki-class destroyers and Hatsuharu-class destroyers. The Imperial Japanese Navy also used the Type 91 torpedo on Japanese cruisers, including the Tone-class cruisers and Mogami-class cruisers, which played a significant role in the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

● Introduction

The Type 91 torpedo was an airdrop torpedo used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, with a range of approximately 2,000 meters and a speed of around 40 knots, similar to the Mark 13 torpedo used by the United States Navy. The development of the Type 91 torpedo was a result of the Imperial Japanese Navy's focus on torpedo technology, which was also influenced by the German Navy's torpedo development, including the G7a torpedo and the G7e torpedo. The Type 91 torpedo was used by Japanese aircraft, such as the Nakajima B5N and Mitsubishi G4M, which were used during the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Imperial Japanese Navy also used the Type 91 torpedo on Japanese submarines, including the I-400-class submarines, which were designed to attack United States Navy aircraft carriers, such as the USS Enterprise (CV-6).

● Design and Development

The design of the Type 91 torpedo was influenced by the Imperial Japanese Navy's experience with torpedo technology, including the Type 89 torpedo and the Type 90 torpedo, which were used during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Type 91 torpedo was designed to be more efficient and have a longer range than its predecessors, with a more advanced gyroscope system, similar to the AN/ASN-41 used by the United States Army Air Forces. The development of the Type 91 torpedo involved the collaboration of several Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which also produced the Kawasaki Ki-48 and the Mitsubishi Ki-67. The Imperial Japanese Navy also worked with German engineers, including those from the Kriegsmarine, to develop the Type 91 torpedo, which was similar to the LT 350 used by the Regia Marina.

● Operational History

The Type 91 torpedo was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during several battles, including the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway. The Type 91 torpedo was also used by Japanese aircraft during the Solomon Islands campaign, including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Battle of Guadalcanal. The United States Navy and the Royal Australian Navy also encountered the Type 91 torpedo during the Battle of the Java Sea and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The Imperial Japanese Navy's use of the Type 91 torpedo was influenced by the Japanese strategy of kamikaze attacks, which involved the use of torpedo-carrying aircraft, such as the Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka, to attack Allied ships, including the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) and the HMS Formidable (R67).

● Variants

There were several variants of the Type 91 torpedo, including the Type 91 Mod 1 and the Type 91 Mod 2, which had different ranges and speeds, similar to the Mark 13 torpedo Mod 1 and the Mark 13 torpedo Mod 2 used by the United States Navy. The Type 91 Mod 3 was a variant of the Type 91 torpedo that was designed for use on Japanese submarines, including the I-400-class submarines, which were used during the Battle of Okinawa. The Imperial Japanese Navy also developed the Type 97 torpedo, which was a more advanced version of the Type 91 torpedo, with a longer range and a more advanced guidance system, similar to the Mark 24 mine used by the United States Navy.

● Specifications

The Type 91 torpedo had a length of approximately 5.27 meters and a diameter of 45 centimeters, similar to the G7a torpedo used by the Kriegsmarine. The Type 91 torpedo had a range of approximately 2,000 meters and a speed of around 40 knots, with a warhead weighing around 150 kilograms, similar to the Mark 13 torpedo used by the United States Navy. The Type 91 torpedo was powered by a compressed air system, similar to the G7e torpedo used by the Regia Marina. The Imperial Japanese Navy's use of the Type 91 torpedo was influenced by the Japanese strategy of torpedo warfare, which involved the use of torpedo-carrying aircraft and submarines to attack Allied ships, including the USS Iowa (BB-61) and the HMS King George V (41).

Category:Torpedoes of Japan