Mk-30 5"/38 caliber 127mm naval gun

Surface Vessel Weapon System
Mk-30 5"/38 caliber DP gun

The gun is installed into Single Purpose and Dual Purpose mounts used primarily by the U.S. Navy. On these 5" mounts, Single Purpose (SP) means that the mount is limited to 35° elevation, and is designed to fire at surface targets only, while Dual Purpose (DP) means that it is designed to be effective against both surface and aircraft targets because it can elevate to 85°. The 38 caliber barrel was a mid-length compromise between the previous United States standard 5"/51 low-angle gun and 5"/25 anti-aircraft gun. United States naval gun terminology indicates the gun fired a projectile 5 inches (127 mm) in diameter, and the barrel was 38 calibers long, making the 5"/38 dual purpose midway in barrel length between the 5"/51 surface-to-surface and the 5"/25 anti-aircraft guns.

Among naval historians, the 5"/38 gun is considered the best intermediate-caliber, dual purpose naval gun of World War II, especially when it was usually under the control of the advanced Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System which provided accurate and timely firing solutions against surface and air targets. However, even this advanced system required nearly 1000 rounds of ammunition expenditure per aircraft kill. The comparatively high rate of fire for a gun of its calibre earned it an enviable reputation, particularly as an anti-aircraft weapon, in which role it was commonly employed by United States Navy vessels. Base ring mounts with integral hoists had a nominal rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute per barrel; however, with a well-trained crew, 22 rounds per minute per barrel was possible for short periods. On pedestal and other mounts lacking integral hoists, 12 to 15 rounds per minute was the rate of fire. Useful life expectancy was 4600 effective full charges (EFC) per barrel.

Technical data:
Caliber: 5 inch (127 mm)
Barrel lenght: 190 inch (4,83 meters) = 38 calibers long
Shell: 53 to 55 pounds (24 to 25 kg)
Elevation: - 15° to + 85°
Rate of fire: 15 rpm
Range: maximal horizontal range is 18000 yards (16 km) / in AA role 37200 feet (11,3 km) at 85° elevation

used on:
Brooke class FFG / DEG
Garcia class Frigate FF

images

Mk-30 5-inch/38 caliber gun aboard a Garcia class Frigate / FF

mk-30 5 inch 38 caliber dual purpose naval gun

Mk-30 5-inch/38 caliber gun aboard a Brooke class Frigate / FFG

Mk-30 5-inch/38 caliber gun aboard a Brooke class Frigate / FFG

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