Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:35:04-1:35:37

Pom-Pom rate of fire versus Bofors reach

The British Pom-Pom offered the denser rate of fire, while the Bofors 40 mm provided the more useful reach and was the more sensible overall choice.

Anti-Aircraft GunsBofors 40 mmNaval GunneryPom Pom Guns
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Question

Which was better, the Royal Navy Pom-Pom or the Bofors 40 mm?

Short answer

The Bofors is the preferred general solution because of its greater reach, while the Pom-Pom offers a higher rate of fire.

Notes

A viewer asks which weapon was better, the Pom-Pom or the Bofors 40 mm. Both were 40 mm systems rather than different calibres. The Pom-Pom was the rapid-fire option, while the Bofors had greater range. The Bofors is selected as the more sensible general solution despite the appeal of the Pom-Pom's volume of fire. The answer frames close-range anti-aircraft design as a trade between density and reach rather than a simple calibre comparison.