Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:27:13-2:28:02

Do similar naval guns imply copied autoloaders?

Performance differences count against the copying suggestion, while shared calibre and ammunition requirements can explain some similarities.

3-inch GunsAmmunition StandardisationAutoloadersTurkish Navy
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Question

Could the Turkish 76 mm gun copy the OTO Melara autoloader?

Short answer

Copying is rejected, with performance differences cited against it. Similar breech dimensions can follow from shared calibre and ammunition requirements.

Notes

The follow-up asks about copying the loading mechanism separately from the whole gun. Differences including rate of fire are cited against that suggestion. Similar dimensions around the breech are accepted as possible for guns sharing a calibre. Common ammunition requirements can produce resemblance without demonstrating a copied mechanism.