Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:27:27-1:29:03

Could an evolved Perry carry a 5-inch gun?

A 5-inch gun would require more extensive structural changes than replacing Mark 13 with VLS.

5-inch GunsFrigatesLive Q&AMark 41 VLSOliver Hazard Perry Class FrigatesShip DesignShip Modernisation
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Question

Could a modernized Perry carry a 5-inch gun as well as Mark 41 VLS?

Short answer

The larger gun would require a hull mounting and much more bow space for both systems, changing the design into a substantially new ship.

Notes

A 5-inch gun would be too heavy for a superstructure mounting on a hull of this size. A hull mounting would require forward space large enough for both the gun and the new VLS installation. That would mean much more extensive rebuilding and lengthening than the missile-system substitution alone. The comparison with a 'Super Perry' questions whether such a ship could still be treated as a modest development of the original design.