Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:47:12-3:48:52

Designing a gun-based modern air-defense destroyer

Daring's twin 4.5-inch mounts are the historical starting point; a modern interpretation shifts to numerous Italian automatic guns and close-in weapons.

Air DefenceBattle Class DestroyersClose-In Weapon SystemsDaring Class Destroyers (1949)DestroyersFletcher Class DestroyersNaval GunneryOTO Melara
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Question

What would the ultimate gun-based anti-aircraft destroyer look like?

Short answer

The modern proposal combines larger guns for reach, numerous rapid-firing 3-inch mounts with strong broadside coverage, and as many effective close-in systems as the ship can accommodate.

Notes

Daring's rapid-firing twin 4.5-inch mounts are the initial preference, with an enlarged ship carrying four twin mounts suggested. Clarifying that the ship is for the modern era changes the proposal to Italian automatic guns. One proposed battery has at least two larger guns for greater reach and at least six 3-inch mounts, ideally eight to ten, with six able to bear on a broadside. Close-in weapon systems would fill the remaining available capacity. The emphasis is on rate of fire and broadside coverage rather than a fully worked-out hull design.