Kaiten (Reverse Destiny)

The Story of Kaiten (Reverse Fate)

Kaiten (meaning "reversing fate" or "changing the world" in Japanese), based on the Japanese Navy's Type 93 torpedo, was a top-secret suicide weapon developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for use during World War II ( 1939-1945). The IJN suffered a major failure in 1944, and all measures were on the table to stem the tide of failure. As a result, an improved torpedo was developed with a crew with basic instruments and controls and a 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) warhead in the bow for sneak attack on unsuspecting Allied warships and merchant ships.

About 400 of these suicide machines have been commissioned by the IJN, more than 100 of which have been dispatched to missions.

In addition to the obvious advantage of pilot-directed torpedoes, Kaitens can also be launched from underwater submarines, unlike the Type 93 unmanned torpedoes, which are launched from decks no deeper than periscope depth. The mothership submarine can carry up to six suicide Kaiten vehicles.

The manned torpedo was launched at about 8,300 yards from the intended target, and at about 550 yards the torpedo descended to about 13 feet to complete the final flight and provide the pilot with some visual perception. However, they were nowhere near as efficient as the very successful Type 93 series of torpedoes on which they were based, consuming valuable pilots in the process.

US sources report that the tankers USS Mississinewa and USS Underhill were the only ones sunk by the Kaiten suicide bombing.

Specification

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Performance

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Wing