Q&A · 2:19:44-2:20:37

Does maneuvering trade gunnery accuracy for survival?

A steady course simplifies a ship's own fire-control problem but also gives the enemy an easier solution, so maneuvering exchanges firing cadence for protection.

Question

Does a ship's speed and maneuvering reduce its own gunnery accuracy?

Short answer

It can: a steady course helps both sides aim, while maneuvering complicates enemy fire at the cost of more calculation time and a slower firing cadence.

Notes

A constant course and speed produce the simplest firing solution for a ship's own fire-control team. The same predictability also makes the ship easier for its opponent to hit. Maneuvering complicates both calculations. A ship can compensate by accepting a slower rate of fire and giving its gunnery crew more time to incorporate each change into the next solution.