What Guns Does the Navy Use?
The United States Navy is one of the largest and most technologically advanced navies in the world, with a diverse range of guns used for various purposes. From surface ships to submarines, the Navy employs a wide array of weapons systems to protect its vessels and personnel, as well as to engage enemy forces in combat. In this article, we will explore the different types of guns used by the Navy and examine their characteristics, capabilities, and uses.
Rifles and Machine Guns
The Navy uses several types of rifles and machine guns for various purposes. These include:
- M4A1 carbine: A compact, lightweight rifle used by naval personnel for close-quarters battles and self-defense.
- M249 SAW: A belt-fed, squad automatic weapon used for suppressive fire and soft targets.
- M240B machine gun: A medium-machine gun used for providing suppressive fire and engaging hard targets.
Artillery and Heavy Guns
The Navy employs a range of artillery and heavy guns for engaging coastal targets, providing gunfire support, and defending against shore-based threats. These include:
- 5-inch/54-caliber MK 45 gun: A rapid-fire, semi-automatic gun used for engaging enemy ships and shore-based targets.
- 5-inch/62-caliber gun: A larger, longer-range gun used for firing naval gunfire support missions and engaging enemy ships.
- 8-inch/55-caliber gun: A heavy, slow-firing gun used for providing close-in defense against enemy ships and shore-based targets.
- 16-inch/50-caliber gun: A massive, long-range gun used for firing naval gunfire support missions and engaging enemy ships.
Missiles and Torpedoes
The Navy uses a variety of missiles and torpedoes for engaging enemy ships, submarines, and ground targets. These include:
- Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM): A submarine-launched cruise missile used for engaging ground targets and disrupting enemy command and control centers.
- Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM): A submarine-launched missile used for engaging enemy ships and disrupting enemy naval vessels.
- Harpoon anti-ship missile: A surface-launched missile used for engaging enemy ships and disrupting enemy naval vessels.
- Mark 48 torpedo: A anti-submarine torpedo used for engaging enemy submarines and other underwater targets.
- Mark 54 torpedo: A lightweight, air-launched torpedo used for engaging enemy submarines and other underwater targets.
Surface-Launched Missiles
The Navy uses a range of surface-launched missiles for engaging enemy ships, aircraft, and ground targets. These include:
- RIM-116 RAM missile: A surface-launched, short-range missile used for engaging anti-ship missiles and other threats.
- RIM-67 SM-2 missile: A surface-launched, medium-range missile used for engaging aircraft and other airborne targets.
- RIM-155 SM-2 missile: A surface-launched, long-range missile used for engaging aircraft and other airborne targets.
Gunnery Systems
The Navy uses a range of gunnery systems to aim and fire its guns accurately. These include:
- MK 45 Mod 1 gun system: A computerized gunnery system used for firing 5-inch/54-caliber guns.
- MK 46 Mod 1 gun system: A computerized gunnery system used for firing 5-inch/62-caliber guns.
- CG-47 gun system: A computerized gunnery system used for firing 5-inch/54-caliber guns.
Table: Navy Guns by Caliber
| Gun | Caliber | Barrel Length | Rate of Fire | Muzzle Velocity | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M4A1 carbine | 5.56mm | 14.5 inches | 700-900 rpm | 2,960 ft/s | 1,000 yards |
| M249 SAW | 5.56mm | 29 inches | 1,000-1,200 rpm | 2,960 ft/s | 1,000 yards |
| M240B machine gun | 7.62mm | 30 inches | 600-1,200 rpm | 2,700 ft/s | 1,000 yards |
| 5-inch/54-caliber MK 45 gun | 5 inches | 286 inches | 12-16 rpm | 2,550 ft/s | 27,000 yards |
| 5-inch/62-caliber gun | 5 inches | 347 inches | 10-14 rpm | 2,550 ft/s | 35,000 yards |
| 8-inch/55-caliber gun | 8 inches | 495 inches | 2-4 rpm | 2,500 ft/s | 20,000 yards |
| 16-inch/50-caliber gun | 16 inches | 780 inches | 1-2 rpm | 2,500 ft/s | 30,000 yards |
| Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) | 600 mph | 1,000 miles | |||
| Mark 48 torpedo | 40 knots | 10,000 yards | |||
| RIM-116 RAM missile | 2,400 mph | 12 miles | |||
| RIM-67 SM-2 missile | 2,400 mph | 100 miles | |||
| RIM-155 SM-2 missile | 2,400 mph | 250 miles |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Navy uses a wide range of guns, missiles, and torpedoes for various purposes, including self-defense, engaging enemy ships and aircraft, and providing gunfire support. From small-caliber rifles and machine guns to massive 16-inch/50-caliber guns and Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Navy’s firepower is unmatched. The combination of these weapons systems enables the Navy to respond effectively to a range of threats and maintain its dominance at sea.
