Which U. S. torpedoes were best?

Obviously, the best torpedo was the one that hit the target, exploded and sank the target. The advantages of the Mark 18 – the lack of bubble trails and the ease and speed of manufacture – would seem to make it a better torpedo. On the other hand, the Mark 14 had much higher speed leaving the target much less time to change course, either in a routine zigzag or when spotting the torpedo.The Mark 14 also had a larger warhead.

The problems with the Mark 14s and Mark 18s were generally resolved at about the same time.

The Mark 14 was in service much longer, until 1980. The Mark 18 was replaced in the mid-1950s.