Why Britain did not extend its 24-inch torpedo to destroyers

First World War capital ships carried torpedoes because even one hit could decide an action. By the Second World War, Japan stood out for continuing to develop long-range heavy torpedoes, while Britain and the United States did not follow the same path. The Royal Navy had already funded a 24-inch weapon for Nelson and Rodney, so a simple Treasury refusal does not explain why destroyers retained 21-inch torpedoes. A heavier weapon could have given the Tribal class a longer-ranged punch, though whether a destroyer could carry the necessary handling equipment remains open. The later use of 18-inch aircraft torpedoes in motor torpedo boats explains another branch of British development, not the absence of a 24-inch destroyer weapon. The unresolved question concerns doctrine, platform limits, and whether continued investment would have made the system practical.