Q&A · 4:02:14

Why common calibre does not require a common 155 mm shell

Army ammunition must remain man-portable, while an automated naval mount can exploit a larger and more powerful round of the same calibre.

Question

How difficult would it be to make a Zumwalt-class gun use standard army 155 mm shells?

Short answer

It is technically possible but operationally unattractive, because a naval system can use a larger, more effective projectile than soldiers can handle manually.

Notes

Standardising the bore diameter does not require both services to use the same projectile. Land forces need shells that people can move and load by hand. Ships can transfer ammunition by pallet and machinery, allowing a larger and more powerful round in the same nominal calibre. Forcing the naval weapon to use the smaller army projectile can sacrifice the effect required at sea.