# Iran, this is going to help things? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 31, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754 "2006-03-31T20:53:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/61 "2006-04-04T01:02:05Z")
I somewhat wonder if it isn’t true, but there’s a downside they aren’t mentioning. “Well, it does go that fast, but it can’t be controlled/breaks down after 10 seconds/explodes prematurly”. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/62 "2006-04-04T17:23:41Z")
I’ve heard that it might be based on a Russian torpedo that can reach 200+ speeds. The Skveck or something. Can anyone shed some light on that? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/63 "2006-04-04T18:23:32Z")
Iran showed footages of his sleath missile, along with a couple other new weapons… ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/64 "2006-04-04T18:31:56Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I’ve heard that it might be based on a Russian torpedo that can reach 200+ speeds. The Skveck or something. Can anyone shed some light on that? I remember reading about something like this a few years ago. It uses some kind of air bubbles or cavitation effect to reduce drag dramatically at high speed when going through the water. I’m not sure how manuverable it would be…or WHY you would need an underwater torpedo to go so fast, when the slower kind can out run any large warship in any case. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/65 "2006-04-04T18:44:41Z")
The Russians have the [Shkval](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/shkval.htm), a so-called supercavitating torpedo that can exceed 200MPH. I would imagine the Iranian torpedo is a variant. An interesting [article](http://diodon349.com/Kursk-Memorial/storm_over_the_squall.htm) I read a while ago (originally showed up on SciAm) alleged the US Navy had no counermeasures for such a weapon. I don’t know what our current defensive capabilities against high-speed torpedos are. They certainly look like great levelers, as there’s no easy way for a big ship to evade it once it gets a lock on. If our Navy lacked an effective defense, even a modest navy equipped with lots of these underwater missiles could do a considerable damage. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/66 "2006-04-04T19:30:38Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > The Russians have the [Shkval](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/shkval.htm), a so-called supercavitating torpedo that can exceed 200MPH. I would imagine the Iranian torpedo is a variant. > > An interesting [article](http://diodon349.com/Kursk-Memorial/storm_over_the_squall.htm) I read a while ago (originally showed up on SciAm) alleged the US Navy had no counermeasures for such a weapon. I don’t know what our current defensive capabilities against high-speed torpedos are. They certainly look like great levelers, as there’s no easy way for a big ship to evade it once it gets a lock on. If our Navy lacked an effective defense, even a modest navy equipped with lots of these underwater missiles could do a considerable damage. Great article, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/67 "2006-04-04T19:42:32Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > I’m not sure how manuverable it would be…or WHY you would need an underwater torpedo to go so fast, when the slower kind can out run any large warship in any case. Evasion isn’t the only way to defend against torpedo attack, and a fast torpedo would be more effective against countermeasures that involve locating systems integrated with surface guns, anti-torpedo torpedos, or decoys. Reduce the window for an effective response, and you’re going to increase the effectiveness of the torpedo. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754/68 "2006-04-04T20:09:57Z")
[QUOTE=xtismeI’m not sure how manuverable it would be…or WHY you would need an underwater torpedo to go so fast, when the slower kind can out run any large warship in any case. -XT[/QUOTE] Why build the F22? The F-15 was just fine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-this-is-going-to-help-things/350754.md?page=3)