Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 58:19-58:50

Protecting magazines below armor

The proposed armor protects ammunition stores against a vulnerability already shared by gun-armed and missile-armed warships.

ArmourMagazine ProtectionMagazine SafetyNaval GunsVertical Launch Systems
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Question

Would ammunition magazines make the battleship too vulnerable to a hit?

Short answer

Magazine hits are a risk shared by ships with guns and vertical-launch cells. The proposal places magazines below armor to reduce their exposure.

Notes

A hit on a magazine or vertical-launch cell is a danger for many warships. Guns and missiles require ammunition, so carrying explosives is part of their combat role. The design therefore places magazines below armor. Protection is intended to reduce the risk to stores that the ship needs to use its weapons.