Q&A · 3:23:34-3:24:02

Early homing torpedoes did not replace ASW weapons overnight

Allied ships retained depth charges and ahead-throwing weapons while homing torpedoes matured into reliable fleet equipment.

Question

Did Allied anti-submarine ships keep depth charges and Hedgehog after receiving early homing torpedoes?

Short answer

Yes. Older charges and mortars overlapped with homing torpedoes until the newer weapons were proven and absorbed into practice.

Notes

Early homing torpedoes entered service gradually rather than displacing older anti-submarine weapons at once. Ships retained depth charges and weapons such as Hedgehog while crews learned the new torpedoes and the technology became reliable. Squid and later Limbo represented improved anti-submarine mortars during that overlap. Depth-charge practice also survived in aviation, where helicopters continued to carry small charges for particular submarine tasks.