Q&A · 8:53:32-8:54:12

A gun-launched Harpoon is possible but mechanically awkward

A sabot could fit the missile body into a large gun, but launch shock, protective packaging, breech loading, and safe motor ignition drive the real design difficulty.

Question

Could a Harpoon missile be packaged in a sabot and fired from a 14-inch gun?

Short answer

The geometry is possible, but the missile must survive launch shock and work with a specially designed sabot, breech, handling system, and safe ignition sequence.

Notes

The missile's diameter can be accommodated inside a 14-inch bore with a suitable sabot. The harder problem is protecting guidance, control surfaces, electronics, and propulsion from the acceleration and pressure of gun launch. A turret and breech would also need to load the unusually long packaged round without damaging it. The concept is technically possible, provided the missile and handling system are designed together from the start.