Q&A · 2:27:52-2:28:21

What counts as plunging naval gunfire

The usual 45-90-degree range distinguishes plunging fire from a shallow descending trajectory.

Ballistics Deck Armour Naval Gunnery Plunging Fire

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Question

Is every descending shell technically plunging fire?

Short answer

No; the term normally means a steep descent, roughly 45-90 degrees and sometimes down to about 30 degrees.

Notes

Plunging fire normally refers to steeply descending shells, with an angle of descent around 45-90 degrees. Some definitions extend the lower limit to about 30 degrees. Simply descending toward the target at a shallow angle is insufficient under either usage.