Fixed-Angle Launcher

The Mk-13 torpedo was the most common air-launched torpedo of WWII. Earlier models, however, had an extremely low altitude release and velocity, and were prone to not starting or running on the water's surface. Furthermore, pilots had to maintain their planes 50 feet above the water and flying at a speed of only 100 knots to allow the torpedo to survive the drop and perhaps continue on a straight course, making pilots an easy target for anti-aircraft guns. The inefficacy of the early Mk-13 torpedo was proven at the Battle of Midway: 40 out of 43 torpedo planes were shot down by the Japanese, and no torpedoes dropped by the planes managed to hit a Japanese ship.

Based on the success of the "mousetrap" anti-submarine launcher developed by Caltech scientists and tested at Morris Dam in 1941, the US Navy turned to Caltech scientists to improve the Mk-13 and develop the Mk-25 torpedoes. Constructed in 1943, the FAL was the first major testing apparatus built at MDTF by Caltech. A 22.5" firing tube set at a 19 degree angle launched hundreds of full-scale, Navy provided Mk-13 torpedoes and Caltech designed test dummies. The tests performed here allowed the US Navy to dramatically improve the performance of their air-drop torpedoes during WWII. The results of these tests led to the development of the "shroud ring". Welded onto the tail fins of Mk-13 torpedoes, shroud rings improved both control and strength. Further developments allowed Mk-13 torpedoes to be dropped from an altitude of 800 feet (rather than 50) and speeds of 300 knots (rather than 100).

The improved Mk-13 torpedoes were quickly shipped out to the Pacific Fleet in the summer of 1944. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, US Navy pilots were able to sink 60 Japanese ships using the improved Mk-13 torpedoes.

The FAL's control station was a small wood framed building overlooking the FAL firing range. Despite the FAL falling into disuse, all of the control panels and electronics were still located in the control station decades later before it too was finally removed. The compression tanks were located immediately above the FAL trench.

The FAL lost importance after the construction of the larger and more flexible VAL. It was used through the mid-'50s and dismantled in 1960.