Italian
ASW Weapons
Updated 23 May 2006
ASW Information
.
General Information

The Italians primarily relied upon depth charges for anti-submarine weapons for both world wars.  There was also a towed torpedo in service.

All depth charges of World War II used a hydrostatic pistol.  Depth charges were designated with "B.T.G." or "B TG" (for Bombe Torpedini da Getto), the manufacturer and followed by a number indicating the size of the charge in kilograms and the date of the design.  Some charges had suffixes indicating the number of depth setting available.

For example, the designation B TG Monc. 100/1927 4 Reg. meant that this depth charge was built by Moncenisio Workshops, had a 100 kg (220 lbs.) charge, was designed in 1927 and had four selectable (Regolazioni) depth settings.

ASW Complement

Most destroyers carried about 30 DCs during World War II.
 
.
Depth Charges
.
B TG Monc. 50/1917
.
Date Of Design 1917
Date In Service about 1917
Total Weight N/A
Explosive Charge 110 lbs. (50 kg)
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Settings N/A
Notes:  This depth charge apparently had only a single setting.
.
B TG Monc. 50/1927 4 Reg.
.
Date Of Design 1927
Date In Service about 1927
Total Weight N/A
Explosive Charge 110 lbs. (50 kg)
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Settings 20, 40, 70 and 100 m (65, 130, 230 and 330 feet)
Notes: 
.
B TG Monc. 100/1927 4 Reg.
.
Date Of Design 1927
Date In Service about 1927
Total Weight N/A
Explosive Charge 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Settings 25, 50, 75 and 100 m (80, 165, 250 and 330 feet)
Notes: 
.
B TG Monc. 50/1936
.
Date Of Design 1936
Date In Service about 1936
Total Weight 141 lbs. (64 kg)
Explosive Charge 110 lbs. (50 kg)
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Settings N/A
Notes:  Designed for 30 cm (11.8 in) DC Throwers.
.
B TG Scot. 100/?
.
Date Of Design N/A
Date In Service N/A
Total Weight 282 lbs. (128 kg)
Explosive Charge 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Settings N/A
Notes:  Manufactured by Scotti and intended for 43 cm (16.9 in) DC Throwers.
.
Depth Charge Racks
.
Designations and capabilities are not available at this time.  Generally similar to USA versions, see that section for further information.
.
Depth Charge Projectors of World War II
.
WAMIT_ASW_DCT_pic.jpg

Trainable DCT for 100 kg (220 lbs.) DC
This DCT used an arbor and was normally fired at a 45 degree angle, although it could be loaded when horizontal
Photograph from Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
There were some broadside DCT but no ahead-throwing weapons such as Hedgehog during World War II.
.
Anti-Submarine Torpedoes
.
WAMIT_ASW_DC_pic.jpg

DC racks and Towed Torpedo on Torpedo Boat Lupo in May 1942
Photograph from Aldo Fraccaroli Collection
These were towed torpedoes, somewhat similar to a paravane.  The basic design was an unpowered cylindrical body attached by a cable to the stern of the ship and trailed at depths between 120 and 300 feet (37 to 90 m).  There were several versions, with the differences being the total size and warhead weight.  These torpedoes were mainly contact-fuzed, although a magnetic version appeared before the Armistice.
.
Post-World War II ASW

Lancia Bas

.
Date Of Design N/A
Date In Service about 1960
Total Weight 353 lbs. (160 kg)
Explosive Charge N/A
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Notes:  This was a three barrel 305 mm (12 in) mortar with automatic loading.  The mortar normally fires at a 45 degree angle.  This mounting could fire 21 rounds in 70 seconds which would form a pattern of about 240 x 550 feet (70 x 165 m).
.
Menon Mortar K 113
.
Date Of Design N/A
Date In Service about 1975
Total Weight 353 lbs. (160 kg)
Explosive Charge N/A
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Notes:  This is a single barrel 305 mm (12 in) mortar with automatic loading which replaced the K 113.  The mortar normally fires at a 45 degree angle.  This weapon feeds from a 7-round magazine and has a range of 440 to 980 yards (400 to 900 m).
.
MS 500
.
Date Of Design N/A
Date In Service about 1975
Total Weight 500 lbs. (227 kg)
Explosive Charge N/A
Sink Rate / Terminal Velocity N/A
Notes:  This ASW bomb/mine was developed by Misar and was designed specifically for the Atlantic Maritime patrol aircraft.  Although this is usually described as a bottom mine, it also has an acoustic trigger that detonates the bomb at its closest point to its target, eliminating the need for presetting the depth.
.
Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"Italian Warships of World War II" by Aldo Fraccaroli
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman