World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Bring Back The Iowa Class Discussion And Debate

Anon · 06-12-2005, 18:14 PM

"As a artilleryman, I know that. You are aware that 16”/50 DOESN’T SHOOT HIGH ANGLE. So terrain masking does play an important role in what targets a battleship couldn’t engage. Iowa’s mounts have a mechanical limit of 45 deg/800 mills. A gun by definition is a low angle, high velocity shooter."

I wasn't talking about the 16" guns.

5" guns have a much higher elevation rate. Remember, the 5"/54 and 5"/62(and even the 5"/38) are dual role mounts, designed to have a secondary AAA role. They have plenty of elevation capacity for engaging reverse slopes and other such targets that are normally shielded from direct fire systems.
However, i would also point out that a guided 16" munition can fly a non ballistic terminal attack profile that would almost completely mitigate the effects of the Mk7 16" guns inherently limited maximum elevation.

Modern technology gives the Mk7 gun system the ability to engage targets that were previously out of the Iowa's reach.

"FYI I’m also sure you meant quadrant not deflection."

I'm quite sure you are correct. I'm also quite sure that despite my erroneously using the incorrect terminology everyone knew what i meant...yourself included.

06-12-2005, 18:14 PM	#143 (permalink)
Anon New Member Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 0	"As a artilleryman, I know that. You are aware that 16”/50 DOESN’T SHOOT HIGH ANGLE. So terrain masking does play an important role in what targets a battleship couldn’t engage. Iowa’s mounts have a mechanical limit of 45 deg/800 mills. A gun by definition is a low angle, high velocity shooter." I wasn't talking about the 16" guns. 5" guns have a much higher elevation rate. Remember, the 5"/54 and 5"/62(and even the 5"/38) are dual role mounts, designed to have a secondary AAA role. They have plenty of elevation capacity for engaging reverse slopes and other such targets that are normally shielded from direct fire systems. However, i would also point out that a guided 16" munition can fly a non ballistic terminal attack profile that would almost completely mitigate the effects of the Mk7 16" guns inherently limited maximum elevation. Modern technology gives the Mk7 gun system the ability to engage targets that were previously out of the Iowa's reach. "FYI I’m also sure you meant quadrant not deflection." I'm quite sure you are correct. I'm also quite sure that despite my erroneously using the incorrect terminology everyone knew what i meant...yourself included.