Why six-inch naval guns could return — Bruships 187: Naval History Questions Answered Live... at 3:58:36

Why six-inch naval guns could return

Modern automation and programmable ammunition could give a six-inch weapon five-inch-like rates of fire, greater payload and range, and a reloadable substitute for some missile missions.

Question

Will future navies field deck guns larger than five inches?

Short answer

Possibly; a modern six-inch gun could combine automated rate of fire with larger guided payloads and take shorter-range missions away from finite VLS magazines.

Notes

The panel sees a credible future for naval guns larger than five inches even without building a gun-centered prestige ship. A six-inch shell has enough internal volume for guidance, sensors, fuzes, or specialized payloads that cannot always be miniaturized into smaller ammunition. Modern automated handling may produce an effective rate of fire comparable to a current five-inch weapon while delivering greater range and effect. If at-sea VLS reloading remains difficult, guns could assume shorter-range land-attack and anti-ship tasks and preserve scarce missiles for distant targets. Discussion of a possible European gun partnership therefore includes an honest choice between a new five-inch system and the greater growth margin of six inches.