Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:08:46-2:09:20

Why naval gunfire support favours a larger calibre

A gun-armed support ship should bring an effect unavailable to land forces, pushing the useful calibre toward 6 or 8 inches rather than adding more small naval guns.

6-inch Guns8-inch GunsDestroyersNaval Gunfire SupportNaval Gunnery
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Question

What gun calibre would make sense if future destroyers carried more guns for fire support?

Short answer

Look in the 6- to 8-inch range, choosing the largest weapon that provides a distinctive shore effect without becoming impractical to support.

Notes

The proposed ship is judged by the capability it adds ashore rather than by how many barrels fit on a destroyer. The 6- to 8-inch range deserves examination because a support vessel should deliver unusually heavy fire from the sea. The weapon must still be practical to supply and operate, so the largest possible naval gun would not automatically be the best choice. The design balance is between a distinctive shore effect and a support system the fleet can sustain.