User Guide

Target Bearing Transmitter (TBT), as indicated by the flashing red arrow
below the target. Left-clicking on the Mark button on the TBT (or the Space
Bar when using the periscope) locks the current target into the TDC. At this
point, the red arrow below the target stops flashing and the TDC continues to
calculate a firing solution for that target even though it is not in view
through the scope. This allows the TDC to continue improving its firing solu-
tion while the viewing device is aimed elsewhere. This simulates the
continuous flow of information from periscope, radar, and hydrophones that
the submariners used to locate and destroy the enemy with.
Attempting to create a manual firing solution for torpedoes requires several
pieces of information about the target including the relative bearing, range,
course, and the speed. Without the continuous feed of information provided
by the TDC when on auto, the firing officer must make do with other sources.
The relative bearing, or angle on the bow, can be determined using the
periscope, TBT, or radar, if the submarine is equipped with it. The Officer
of the Deck will also call out the approximate bearing when contact is first
made. This information is programmed into the TDC using the Relative
Target Bearing dial. The mouse pointer will change to a reticule and the
word SET when moved over the dial. Simply left-click on the rim of the dial,
each increment represents 10 degrees, until the digital readout at the bot-
tom of the dial is close enough to the desired bearing. The bearing of
targets can also be determined by the hydrophone operator when the sub-
marine is travelling at low speed.
Determining range without the automatic setting will only be possible on
submarines equipped with radar. As a commander becomes more experi-
enced, however, making range “guesstimates” will become easier. The
periscope has a set of graduated cross-hairs for that purpose. Once an esti-
mated range is determined, move the mouse pointer over the Target Range
digital counter until the pointer becomes an upward pointing arrow. Left-
clicking on a particular column increments the Target Range counter.
The target’s course should be entered in absolute terms; if the target is heading
due south, its course would be 180 on the compass. The easiest way to calcu-
late this is by using the Ship Identification Book. If the target ship is facing the
submarine, start with a figure that is 180 degrees from the submarine’s course,
which can be found at any station with maneuver controls. Alter that number
to port or starboard based on the view angle as diagrammed in the Ship ID
Book. If the target ship is facing away from the submarine, the base course
starts similar to that of the submarine, which is then adjusted by the difference
in view. Adjust the Target Course dial in the same manner that the Relative
Target Bearing dial was adjusted, using the mouse pointer.
SILENT
HUNTER
32 COMMANDING THE SUBMARINE: Up Scope
Torpedoes can be fired by moving the mouse pointer over the illuminated
number buttons, which correspond to the torpedo tubes, and left-clicking
when the Fire reticule appears. When an appropriate range is reached,
between 500 and 1500 yards, and the Solution dial is reading an acceptable
level, preferably above 75%, fire away!
Torpedoes can also be fired by pressing the Alt key and the corresponding
torpedo tube number on the keyboard, so that pressing Alt-1 fires torpedo
tube one. The Alt-key combination is convenient because they can be used
to fire torpedoes from any station.
The Torpedo Run Time dial found on the Torpedo Data panel can be used
to monitor the time-to-target. Once torpedoes have been fired, escorts are
likely to attack the position the attack came from. Good tactical doctrine
suggests that keeping the periscope retracted until torpedo impact is immi-
nent. Unlike the real world, submarines get credit for ships that sink,
whether anyone witnesses it or not.
Automatic vs. Manual
The Automatic/Manual knob determines whether the TDC continuously
feeds data into the torpedo gyroscopes or allows for manual correction of the
gyro setting. When set on automatic, the TDC automatically calculates a fir-
ing solution for whichever ship is being viewed through the periscope or
SILENT
HUNTER
31 COMMANDING THE SUBMARINE: Up Scope