Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 48:10-48:27

The fleet effects of a successful British five-inch gun

A reliable British five-inch dual-purpose weapon could reduce destroyer losses and become a long-lived fleet standard.

Aircraft CarriersDual Purpose GunsNaval GunneryRoyal NavyTribal Class Destroyers (1936)
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Question

What changes if the British five-inch dual-purpose gun program succeeds?

Short answer

Britain loses fewer destroyers, arms carriers and destroyers with five-inch guns, and may keep the weapon in service for many years.

Notes

The gun program would amount to more than a change in calibre. A successful weapon would alter Tribal-class and later destroyer armament and improve the guns carried by British aircraft carriers. The Royal Navy might also retain the system for decades. One dependable dual-purpose mounting could reshape several ship types at once.