Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 54:42-55:08

Who developed the aerial torpedo?

British experiments adapted a destroyer torpedo into a workable air-launched weapon before the First World War ended.

Aerial TorpedoesRoyal NavyTorpedo BombersWorld War I
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Question

Who invented the aerial torpedo?

Short answer

British developers pioneered it, first experimenting with a destroyer torpedo and then adapting the weapon for air launch.

Notes

British development produced the first practical aerial torpedo capability. Early experiments with a destroyer torpedo showed that an existing weapon could not simply be dropped from an aircraft unchanged. Engineers refined the system until it could survive water entry and begin a reliable run. That work gave the Royal Navy unusually deep experience by the time of Taranto.