A 16 inch shell can vary in weight, depending on what type of shell it is. Generally, a 16 inch howitzer shell (also known as a 16 inch gun) weighs about 2,240 pounds (approx. 1,015 kilograms). An inert or practice round for the 16 inch gun will generally weigh about 2,190 pounds (approx.
990 kilograms). A 16 inch naval shell is slightly lighter and typically weighs about 2,000 pounds (approx. 907 kilograms). A 16 inch artillery shell usually weighs between 150 and 265 pounds (approx.
68 – 120 kilograms).
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How much armor can a 16 inch gun penetrate?
The amount of armor a 16 inch gun can penetrate depends on a few factors, including the type of armor, the type of shell used and the velocity of the shell. Generally speaking, a 16 inch gun has an effective range of up to 19,500 feet and can penetrate up to 16 to 18 inches of armor at angles of up to 30 degrees.
This is assuming the shell used is an armor piercing shell designed specifically to penetrate armor. Against reinforced concrete walls or steel structures, the armor-piercing shell may penetrate up to 6 or 7 feet.
Additionally, the 16 inch gun can be used to fire high-explosive and semi-armor piercing shells, which could potentially increase the amount of penetration depending on the type and thickness of armor.
What is the blast radius of a 16 inch shell?
The blast radius of a 16 inch shell (i. e. artillery shell) depends on a range of factors, such as the type of shell, the type and location of the target, and even the volume/height of the surrounding terrain.
Generally speaking, a 16 inch shell can be expected to have an effective blast radius of around 18 meters if fired in an area without significant obstacles. Factors such as local terrain, impacting against hardened targets, and ground absorbance may reduce this estimate to as low as 7 meters.
In any event, it is expected that a 16 inch shell would have the potential to cause significant damage with a radius of up to several hundred meters. As such, it is generally accepted that a 16 inch shell has a potentially large enough blast radius to be considered a dangerous and destructive weapon.
What is the range of a 16 inch gun on a battleship?
The range of a 16-inch gun on a battleship depends on several factors, including the type of ammunition used and the conditions under which it is stored and operated. Generally, it has been observed that a 16-inch gun can fire projectiles ranging from 10 miles to up to 25 nautical miles when used in ideal firing conditions.
However, this range can reduce considerably in different scenarios. For example, if less-than-ideal firing conditions exist due to the environment, such as heavy winds, precipitation, or a lack of cover, the range can be significantly reduced.
Also, depending on the type of ammunition being used, the range can vary. For example, a 16-inch shell with an armor-piercing warhead typically has a maximum range of 22 nautical miles whereas a high-explosive shell has a maximum range of only 12 nautical miles.
How many US battleships had 16 inch guns?
A total of four US battleships had 16 inch guns – the USS Colorado, the USS Maryland, the USS Washington, and the USS West Virginia. All of the battleships were commissioned as part of the US Navy’s “Big Five” in the 1920s and 1930s, and all featured triple turrets of 16-inch 50 caliber guns.
The USS Colorado and USS Maryland were both commissioned in 1923, followed by the USS West Virginia in 1927 and the USS Washington in 1941. All of the battleships served actively during World War II, with the USS West Virginia and USS Washington seeing action in the Pacific Theater.
The USS Washington was the only battleship to be damaged by gunfire during the conflict, taking multiple hits from Japanese battleships during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The USS Colorado was the first of the “Big Five” to be decommissioned in 1947; all four 16-inch gun battleships were eventually scrapped by the late 1960s.
How is blast radius calculated?
The calculation of a blast radius is very complex and depends on a number of factors. Generally speaking, however, it is the area in which certain levels of property or personnel damage is expected from an explosion.
The magnitude of the explosion, the type of explosive material, the terrain and weather conditions, the depth of the explosion, and the ground water table are all factors that influence the size of a blast radius.
For example, soft and loose soil tends to amplify an explosion, while hard and dense soil tends to reduce its effects.
Using mathematical calculations, scientists can calculate the pressure wave that is created by a blast and estimate how far it may travel. The pressure wave will dissipate over distance and the potential damage diminished, so the drop in pressure over a certain distance is taken into consideration.
The shape of the ground, as well as the presence of bunkers and other structures which interfere with the pressure wave, also has an effect.
The size of the blast radius has a huge impact on military strategies, as well as on disaster planning, so it is important for scientists to be accurate when calculating it. In most cases, the blast radius is estimated using mathematical calculations, but in the case of larger-scale explosions such as nuclear weapons, simulations or theoretical models may be used.
Do battleships move sideways when they fire?
No, battleships do not move sideways when they fire. A battleship is a large, typically armored warship that is used in naval warfare. Since it is a large vessel, it is not designed to move sideways and would sit at a fixed location while firing its cannons, missiles, or torpedoes.
Some ships in the battle group, such as cruisers, destroyers, and frigates, may be designed to move sideways to line up a better shot, but a battleship, which is typically at the center of the group, would not.
