How many different weapon and ammunition systems did Béarn have to support?
Short answerAircraft weapons were joined by five shipboard families: 6.1-inch, three-inch, 37-millimeter, and machine-gun ammunition plus torpedoes.
NotesBéarn carried aviation ammunition plus 6.1-inch guns, three-inch guns, 37-millimeter guns, machine guns, and four torpedo tubes. Each family required its own storage, handling, maintenance, and trained crews aboard a ship already supporting two propulsion systems and three lift designs. A carrier within torpedo range has already entered an exceptionally dangerous tactical situation. Even the theoretical interchangeability between ship and aircraft torpedoes was not consistently realized, leaving the tubes as another mission mismatch rather than useful aviation support.