Proximity detonation A torpedo fitted with a proximity fuze can be detonated directly under the keel of a target ship. The explosion creates a gas bubble which may damage the keel or underside plating of the target. However, the most destructive part of the explosion is the upthrust of the gas bubble, which will bodily lift the hull in the water. The structure of the hull is designed to resist downward rather than upward pressure, causing severe strain in this phase of the explosion. When the gas bubble collapses, the hull will tend to fall into the void in the water, creating a sagging effect. Finally, the weakened hull will be hit by the uprush of water caused by the collapsing gas bubble, causing structural failure. On vessels up to the size of a modern frigate, this can result in the ship breaking in two and sinking. This effect is likely to prove less catastrophic on a much larger hull, for instance, that of an aircraft carrier.
proXiMIty dEtOnAtION a toRpEdo fItTEd wITh a PRoximity fuzE can bE DEtonATeD directLY unDeR the KeeL of a target ShiP. the explosION creates A gas buBBLe wHich may dAmAge THe kEel OR uNDErSiDe pLAting Of thE tARgeT. hoWeVeR, tHe mOsT deSTRuctive part of The exPLOsion is ThE UpthruST of the gAs BubblE, wHICH wIll boDIly lIft the hUlL iN the wateR. thE structURe Of the Hull iS deSiGnEd tO resisT doWnwArd rAthEr than UpWard pREssURe, CaUSinG severe STraiN in tHis PHasE of THe expLOsiOn. when thE GaS BubbLe COllapSEs, thE HuLl wIll tend to faLL iNto THE voiD iN ThE water, creatIng a SAggiNg effeCT. finAllY, the WeAkened hull wIll be hit by the uprush Of wateR caUSeD by tHe CoLlapsing gAS BUbbLe, cauSing StruCTural faILurE. On VEsSELS up To thE sIzE Of a modern frIGate, thIs can REsult iN THe shIp breakINg in TwO anD sInKiNG. this effeCt is lIKely tO ProVE leSs catastROphIc on A muCh lArger hull, FoR Instance, That of an aiRcraft cArrIeR.