Why the Constellation class uses a 76 mm gun

Was the 76 mm gun the right choice for the Constellation class in an era of drone attacks on shipping?

Yes, it offers a weight-conscious, rapid-fire layer between missiles and close-in weapons, especially against drones and saturation threats.

The panel suggests that weight influenced the choice, but the 76 mm gun also adds a useful engagement scale that the US Navy lacked. Carrier groups try to defeat threats first with aircraft and long-range missiles, then shorter-range missiles, and finally close-in systems. A rapid deck gun can place a further wall of steel between those layers, engaging drones or missiles before they reach the last-ditch defense. The Constellation-class weapon therefore contributes to a layered screen rather than competing with a five-inch gun on caliber alone.