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How many folks knew the term "supercavitation" and further knew that it's been in service since 1977?
Honestly, I can’t tell you when the first articles came out about it. Certainly, the Soviets weren’t talking about it, and I’m reasonably sure the USN wasn’t either. But certainly by 2000, I was seeing stuff about it, including in submarine fiction, and at least according to the fiction, it makes a hell of a racket.
The idea behind the technology, of course, is that the torpedo is not actually being slowed by the friction of water. Instead, its leading surface is enveloped in compressed air or other gas. Hence there is little drag. Hence, the torpedo can reach unbelievable speed.
But it’s no stealth technology for sure.
