depth charges

Depth charges are explosive devices used by ships to target submarines beneath the water's surface. They are dropped into the ocean and set to detonate at specific depths, creating powerful shockwaves that can damage or destroy submerged submarines. The weapons rely on sonar to locate a submarine and then deploy the charge accurately. Depth charges were a primary anti-submarine tool during World War I and II, before more advanced sonar and missile systems replaced them. They play a crucial role in naval warfare by threatening underwater threats and protecting surface ships.