Q&A ยท 1:34:46-1:36:14

What would make Japan abandon the Type 93 Long Lance?

A hypothetical 21-inch Shimakaze points to the danger, maintenance burden, and personnel cost of oxygen torpedoes.

Question

What would have changed in Japanese doctrine for Shimakaze to carry three sextuple 21-inch torpedo mountings instead of Type 93 torpedoes?

Short answer

Japan would have to conclude that the Long Lance's oxygen hazards, maintenance burden, and risk to ships and crews outweighed its range and speed.

Notes

The Type 93 offered high speed or long range through its use of oxygen, at the cost of serious handling hazards. An accident or misfire could have prompted a reassessment of those risks. Heavy maintenance demands, personnel losses, or danger to the carrying ships could also make the weapon unattractive. In that counterfactual, Japan would seek as much range as possible from a 21-inch torpedo.