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ACR (Anti-Circular Run) -- -- A torpedo interlock that prevents the weapon from acquiring on the firing ship (“own ship”). When the torpedo turns more than 160 degrees from the approach course to the target, the onboard gyro sends a signal to the central processor to shut down the unit. It then sinks.

Active sonar -- -- The determination of a contact’s bearing and range by pining a sound pulse into the ocean and listening for the reflection of the ping from the target. Generally not used by submarines since it gives away the ship’s position.

Aft -- -- The back of a sub; further back than.

anechoic coating -- -- A thick foam coating attached to the outside of the hulls of some submarines. It absorbs incoming active sonar pulses without reflecting them back, while damping out internal noises before they can get outside the ship. Analogous to stealth radar absorptive material on a stealth aircraft.

Angles and Dangles -- -- Test in which a submarine takes a rapid down angle and then a rapid up angle to see if everything aboard is stowed for sea.

ASH (Anti-Self Homing) -- -- A torpedo interlock that measures the distance from the firing ship. If the torpedo comes back toward the firing ship, at 80% of the return trip, the ASH interlock will shut down the unit. It will flood and sink.

USSDEVILFISH.COM Michael DiMercurio Princeton, New Jersey E-mail: readermail@USSDEVILFISH.COM