Why a torpedo can miss a ship at very short range

Is it real that a ship can get too close for a torpedo to arm?

Yes, and an air-launched torpedo may also still be running too deep after its initial dive even if it has armed.

The game prompts a question about whether closing very near a ship can prevent a torpedo from taking effect. Arming time is accepted as a real consideration. Air-launched torpedoes add another issue because they dive after entering the water and need time to reach the appropriate running depth. A torpedo can therefore already be active but still pass too deep to hit the target.