Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:47:31-1:52:03

Choosing between today's 5-inch naval guns

The choice narrows to the long-serving Mk 45 and the Italian 127 mm system, with the Italian weapon preferred for a Royal Navy purchase.

Mark 45 5-inch Naval GunNaval GunneryOTO Melara 127 mm GunRoyal Australian NavyRoyal Canadian NavyRoyal NavyVulcano Ammunition
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Question

What is the best 5-inch naval gun currently in production?

Short answer

The main contenders are the Mk 45 and OTO Melara 127 mm; for the Royal Navy, he would choose the Italian system.

Notes

The American Mk 45 offers a mature design with a very long production history, while OTO Melara's 127 mm system is the principal contemporary alternative. The Italian weapon wins this comparison because its Vulcano ammunition remains in service and can reach roughly 120 kilometers, while comparable American extended-range ammunition was canceled. The Canadian Type 26 selection shows that the Italian gun can be integrated into the same frigate family for which Britain and Australia chose the Mk 45. For a new Royal Navy acquisition, the OTO Melara system is preferred despite Britain's tendency to buy BAE-supplied weapons.