US Navy Armament in the Twilight War

[dragoon500ly]

I was gearing up for a Harpoon game set in the Persian Gulf and came across this in the Ships and Aircraft of the US Navy, 14th Edition.

The USS Salem is the last of the Des Moines-class of heavy cruisers. Of special intrest is her main armament, the US Mark 16 Mod 0 8-inch/55-caliber:

These guns (mounted in triple turrets) are capable of firing ten rounds per minute, per mount (through the use of metal cartridge cases instead of the more normal bagged charge)! Thirty rounds of 8-inch in a minute....sucks to be a target!

Maximum range for the 335lb AP round is 30,100 yards; and for the 260lb HE round, 31,350 yards.

The Salem also mounted six twin 5-inch/38-caliber Mk32 Dual Purpose Guns. These can maintain 18 rounds per minute at to a horizontal range of 17,306 yards or a vertical range of 32,250ft.

For antiaircraft armament, the Salem mounted eight twin 3-inch/50-caliber Mark 33 mounts. These can maintain 50 rounds per minute, with a horizontal range of 14,041 yards and a vertical range of 29,367ft.

The Perry-class frigates carried the 76mm/62-caliber Mark 75 mount. This had a rate of fire of 75-85 rpm with a horizontal range of 21,000 yards and a vertical range of 39,000 ft. Amazing what performance you get with a longer barrel!

[Panther Al]

Don't forget more modern propellents as well: Thats where a lot of the increase in weapon performance has come from over the past 50 years.