5-54 Mark 45
Encyclopedia
The 5-Inch/54-caliber
(Mk 45) lightweight gun is a modern U.S. naval artillery
gun mount consisting of a 5-inch (127 mm) L54 Mark 19 gun on the Mark 45 mount. Originally designed and built by United Defense
, it is now manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments after the former was acquired. The latest 5-inch/62-caliber version consist of a longer barrel L62 Mark 36 gun fitted on the same Mark 45 mount. The gun is designed for use against surface warship
s, anti-aircraft and shore bombardment to support amphibious operations.
The gun mount features an automatic loader with a capacity of 20 rounds. These can be fired under full automatic control, taking a little over a minute to exhaust those rounds at maximum fire rate. For sustained use, the gun mount would be occupied by a three-man crew (gun captain, panel operator, and ammunition loader) below deck to keep the gun continuously supplied with ammunition.
use, the Mark 45 is used with either the Mk 86 Gun Fire Control System or the Mk 160 Gun Computing System. Since before World War II
, 5" has been the standard gun caliber for U.S. Naval ships. Its rate of fire is lower than the British 4.5-inch (114 mm) gun
, but it fires a heavier 5" shell which carries a larger burst charge
that increases its per-shell
effectiveness against aircraft
.
Special note:
In sustained firing operations (Mode III), the gun is manned by a three-man crew all located below decks. These are a gun captain, a panel operator, and ammunition loader. In fully automatic non-sustained firing operations (Mode IV), the gun can be fired without any personnel inside the mount. However, sustained fire is limited to the capacity of the automatic loader (20 rounds). This means that there will be no-one at control panel for the gun to safe the weapon when having to fallback to verbal cease fire to the gun crew.
Video links
Caliber (artillery)
In artillery, caliber or calibredifference in British English and American English spelling is the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or by extension a relative measure of the length....
(Mk 45) lightweight gun is a modern U.S. naval artillery
Naval artillery
Naval artillery, or naval riflery, is artillery mounted on a warship for use in naval warfare. Naval artillery has historically been used to engage either other ships, or targets on land; in the latter role it is currently termed naval gunfire fire support...
gun mount consisting of a 5-inch (127 mm) L54 Mark 19 gun on the Mark 45 mount. Originally designed and built by United Defense
United Defense
United Defense Industries was a United States defense contractor which is now part of BAE Systems Land and Armaments. This company produces combat vehicles, artillery, naval guns, missile launchers and precision munitions.-History:...
, it is now manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments after the former was acquired. The latest 5-inch/62-caliber version consist of a longer barrel L62 Mark 36 gun fitted on the same Mark 45 mount. The gun is designed for use against surface warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
s, anti-aircraft and shore bombardment to support amphibious operations.
The gun mount features an automatic loader with a capacity of 20 rounds. These can be fired under full automatic control, taking a little over a minute to exhaust those rounds at maximum fire rate. For sustained use, the gun mount would be occupied by a three-man crew (gun captain, panel operator, and ammunition loader) below deck to keep the gun continuously supplied with ammunition.
History
Development started in the 1960s as a replacement for the 5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun system with a new, lighter, and easier to maintain gun mounting. In USNUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
use, the Mark 45 is used with either the Mk 86 Gun Fire Control System or the Mk 160 Gun Computing System. Since before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 5" has been the standard gun caliber for U.S. Naval ships. Its rate of fire is lower than the British 4.5-inch (114 mm) gun
4.5 inch (114 mm) Mark 8 naval gun
The 4.5 inch Mark 8 is a British naval gun system which currently equips the Royal Navy's frigates and some British destroyers and frigates sold to other countries.-Background:...
, but it fires a heavier 5" shell which carries a larger burst charge
Burst charge
In fireworks, a burst charge is an energetic pyrotechnic mixture placed in a shell which is ignited when the shell reaches the desired height in order to pass fire to and spread the stars. Burst charge compositions are usually coated onto rice hulls or other low-density fillers, which increases...
that increases its per-shell
Shell (projectile)
A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot . Solid shot may contain a pyrotechnic compound if a tracer or spotting charge is used...
effectiveness against aircraft
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
.
Variants
- Mod 0: used mechanical fuze setter. Two piece rifled construction, with replaceable liner
- Mod 1: electronic fuze setter replaces the mechanical one. Made with a unitary construction barrel, which has a life span approximately twice that of the Mark 42 gun.
- Mod 2: export version of Mod 1, but now used in the US Navy
- Mod 3: same gun with a new control system; never put into production
- Mod 4: longer 62 caliberCaliber (artillery)In artillery, caliber or calibredifference in British English and American English spelling is the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or by extension a relative measure of the length....
barrel (Mod 1/2 54 caliber) for more complete propellant combustion, higher velocity, greater range at +20 nm (36 km) and thus more utility for land attack.
Special note:
In sustained firing operations (Mode III), the gun is manned by a three-man crew all located below decks. These are a gun captain, a panel operator, and ammunition loader. In fully automatic non-sustained firing operations (Mode IV), the gun can be fired without any personnel inside the mount. However, sustained fire is limited to the capacity of the automatic loader (20 rounds). This means that there will be no-one at control panel for the gun to safe the weapon when having to fallback to verbal cease fire to the gun crew.
Users
- Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
s: Mod 2- In construction:
- Hobart class destroyer: Mod 4
- In construction:
- Royal Danish NavyRoyal Danish NavyThe Royal Danish Navy is the sea-based branch of the Danish Defence force. The RDN is mainly responsible for maritime defence and maintaining the sovereignty of Danish, Greenlandic and Faroese territorial waters...
command and support ships
- Hellenic NavyHellenic NavyThe Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence...
s (MEKOMEKOThe MEKO family of warships was developed by the German company Blohm + Voss.MEKO is a registered trademark. The portmanteau stands for "Mehrzweck-Kombination" . It is a concept in modern naval shipbuilding based on modularity of armament, electronics and other equipment, aiming at ease of...
200 HN)
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceJapan Maritime Self-Defense ForceThe , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....
guided missile destroyerGuided missile destroyerA guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...
s: Mod 4 destroyerDestroyerIn naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s: Mod 4
- Republic of Korea NavyRepublic of Korea NavyThe Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
guided missile destroyerGuided missile destroyerA guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...
: Mod 4 guided missile destroyerGuided missile destroyerA guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...
: Mod 4
- Royal New Zealand NavyRoyal New Zealand NavyThe Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
: Mod 2s
- Spanish NavySpanish NavyThe Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...
s: Mod 2
- Republic of China NavyRepublic of China NavyThe Republic of China Navy is the maritime branch of the Armed forces of the Republic of China . The ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround Taiwan against a blockade, attack, or possible invasion by forces of the People's Republic of China...
guided missile destroyerGuided missile destroyerA guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...
s
- Royal Thai NavyRoyal Thai NavyThe Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
- Naresuan class frigatesHTMS NaresuanHTMS Naresuan , hull number 621, commissioned in 1995, is a modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate, designed and built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. Her sister ship, HTMS Taksin was delivered in November 1995...
- Naresuan class frigates
- Turkish NavyTurkish NavyThe Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
s (MEKO 200 TN II-B)s (MEKO 200 TN II-A)s (MEKO 200 TN)
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
- Active service ships:s (later removed) guided missile cruisers: Mod 2
-
- CG-52: Mod 4 after receiving the cruiser modernization guided missile destroyer:
- DDG 51–80: Mod 2
- DDG 81–112: Mod 4
-
- Active service ships:s (later removed) guided missile cruisers: Mod 2
-
- Decommissioned:ssss
See also
- Extended Range Guided MunitionExtended Range Guided MunitionThe Extended Range Guided Munition was a precision guided rocket-assisted 5-inch artillery shell development by Raytheon for the U.S. Navy. The program was cancelled in March 2008 after twelve years of development and over 600 million dollars in funding. The developmental round was designated EX...
: long range (~60 m) precision guided projectile program by Raytheon for the Mark 45 gun, canceled in 2008. - Otobreda 127/54 CompactOtobreda 127/54 CompactThe Otobreda 127mm/54 Compact gun is a naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Oto Melara. The gun is completely new but uses the same semi fixed ammunition as the American 5 inch/ 54 gun. It was introduced into service in 1968. A new advanced lightweight mounting for corvettes has been...
and Otobreda 127/64Otobreda 127/64The upcoming Oto Melara 127/64 Lightweight naval Gun Mount is a rapid fire gun mount suitable for installation on large and medium size ships, intended for surface fire and naval gunfire support as main role and anti-aircraft fire as secondary role....
: contemporary 127mm naval gun from Italian manufacturer Oto MelaraOto MelaraOto Melara is an Italian defence company with factories in Brescia and La Spezia. It was founded in 1905 as a joint venture of Vickers and Terni. During World War I, Vickers Terni produced many weapons with calibre 40 mm and upwards. In 1929 the company was renamed Odero Terni Orlando with the... - 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun: contemporary standard naval gun for British ships
- French 100 mm naval gunFrench 100 mm naval gunModern French 100 mm naval guns are multipurpose artillery pieces , capable of a high rate of fire. Most modern French warships are equipped with one of its versions.-History:...
: contemporary standard naval gun for French ships - Advanced Gun SystemAdvanced Gun SystemThe Advanced Gun System is a naval gun system under development by BAE Systems Armaments Systems for the Zumwalt class destroyer of the United States Navy. Production has started; the first magazine was delivered to the U.S...
: US Navy planned 155 mm gun for Zumwalt class destroyerZumwalt class destroyerThe Zumwalt class destroyer is a planned class of United States Navy destroyers, designed as multi-mission ships with a focus on land attack. The class is a scaled-back project that emerged after funding cuts to the larger DD-21 vessel program. The program was previously known as the "DD"...
External links
- US Navy fact file
- BAE Systems: Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System
- BAE Systems: Mk 45 Naval Gun Overhaul and Upgrade
- NavWeaps.Com: 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 45 Mods 0 - 2
- NavWeaps.Com: 5"/54 (12.7 cm) Mark 45 Mods 4
- FAS: Gunner officer information sheet
Video links