In the book 'The Hunt for Red October' one of the US Battleships (Iowa or New Jersey I think) are out with a fleet guarding the US coastline.
In it they mention her 16" shells but also say that she could fire 8" sabot rounds about 40 miles!
Is this a fact, or just the authors licence?
Sabot rounds in Naval guns
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paul mercer
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Hi Paul,
I only just noticed this thread. I do not have the particulars of the shell to hand at the moment, but there was a sub-calibre shell being developed for use in the 16-inch. Development was underway at or slightly before the time the book in question went to press, although the subsequent decision to retire the battleships from active service put an end to the research and development. I am not sure if any such rounds were actually test fired or not, however, the program was probably what Clancey was referring to; it is possible that the ships would have received the new shell had their continued service not been cancelled.
I only just noticed this thread. I do not have the particulars of the shell to hand at the moment, but there was a sub-calibre shell being developed for use in the 16-inch. Development was underway at or slightly before the time the book in question went to press, although the subsequent decision to retire the battleships from active service put an end to the research and development. I am not sure if any such rounds were actually test fired or not, however, the program was probably what Clancey was referring to; it is possible that the ships would have received the new shell had their continued service not been cancelled.
Their shoulders held the sky suspended;
They stood and Earth's foundations stay;
What God abandoned these defended;
And saved the sum of things for pay.