what inch does the big turrets on the USS IOWA measure
5 answers
The main battery turrets on the USS Iowa (BB-61) are equipped with 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 naval guns. Each of these 16-inch (406 mm) guns is capable of firing a variety of shells, including armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds, over impressive distances. The turrets and guns are among the largest naval artillery ever mounted on a ship and were a significant factor in the battleship's formidable combat capabilities.
what are the overall types of guns on the USS IOWA
The USS Iowa (BB-61) was armed with a variety of guns, designed to fulfill multiple roles ranging from long-range bombardment to air defense. Here are the overall types of guns that were on the USS Iowa:
1. **Main Battery:**
- **16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 naval guns:** These are the primary armament of the battleship, housed in three triple-gun turrets, for a total of nine guns. They are capable of firing shells weighing up to 2,700 pounds (armor-piercing) over distances exceeding 20 miles.
2. **Secondary Battery:**
- **5-inch/38-caliber guns:** The secondary battery consists of ten twin-gun mounts, totaling twenty 5-inch guns. These dual-purpose guns are used for both anti-ship and anti-aircraft roles and have a firing range of about 10-12 miles.
3. **Anti-Aircraft Guns:**
- **Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns:** The ship was originally equipped with multiple quadruple mounts of these medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns, which were effective against enemy aircraft at short to medium ranges.
- **Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft cannons:** These smaller-caliber anti-aircraft guns were used for close-in defense against aircraft. They were typically mounted in single-barrel or twin-barrel configurations.
The specific number and arrangement of these anti-aircraft guns could vary over the course of the ship's operational history, especially with advancements in weaponry and changes in tactical requirements.
In later years, during the 1980s modernization, the USS Iowa also received additional weapon systems, including:
- **Tomahawk cruise missiles:** For long-range land attack.
- **Harpoon anti-ship missiles:** For anti-surface warfare.
- **Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System):** For point defense against incoming missiles and aircraft.
These additional systems significantly enhanced the combat capabilities of the USS Iowa.
1. **Main Battery:**
- **16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 naval guns:** These are the primary armament of the battleship, housed in three triple-gun turrets, for a total of nine guns. They are capable of firing shells weighing up to 2,700 pounds (armor-piercing) over distances exceeding 20 miles.
2. **Secondary Battery:**
- **5-inch/38-caliber guns:** The secondary battery consists of ten twin-gun mounts, totaling twenty 5-inch guns. These dual-purpose guns are used for both anti-ship and anti-aircraft roles and have a firing range of about 10-12 miles.
3. **Anti-Aircraft Guns:**
- **Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns:** The ship was originally equipped with multiple quadruple mounts of these medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns, which were effective against enemy aircraft at short to medium ranges.
- **Oerlikon 20mm anti-aircraft cannons:** These smaller-caliber anti-aircraft guns were used for close-in defense against aircraft. They were typically mounted in single-barrel or twin-barrel configurations.
The specific number and arrangement of these anti-aircraft guns could vary over the course of the ship's operational history, especially with advancements in weaponry and changes in tactical requirements.
In later years, during the 1980s modernization, the USS Iowa also received additional weapon systems, including:
- **Tomahawk cruise missiles:** For long-range land attack.
- **Harpoon anti-ship missiles:** For anti-surface warfare.
- **Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System):** For point defense against incoming missiles and aircraft.
These additional systems significantly enhanced the combat capabilities of the USS Iowa.
How many of the 5inch guns on the USS IOWA were they're?
The USS Iowa (BB-61) was armed with a total of twenty 5-inch/38-caliber guns. These guns were mounted in dual-purpose twin-gun mounts, making ten twin mounts in total. These 5-inch guns were designed to serve both as anti-ship and anti-aircraft weapons, capable of engaging a variety of targets with a relatively high rate of fire and good accuracy. They were a crucial part of the battleship's secondary armament, providing versatile firepower for both offensive and defensive operations.