Q&A ยท 8:14-9:01

Why CIWS would struggle with battleship salvos

The speed and volume of a heavy-gun salvo would exhaust modern close-in defensive ammunition before every shell could be stopped.

Question

Could modern anti-aircraft and close-in weapon systems shoot down a battleship shell?

Short answer

They might engage individual shells, but the speed, trajectory and number in a full salvo would probably overwhelm their ammunition capacity.

Notes

The problem involves both interception and magazine depth. A 16-inch shell arrives fast and steeply, while a battleship may send nine or more rounds together. Even systems able to engage one projectile could run out of ready ammunition against the salvo.