The Mk 8 guns of the fleet are currently maintained under contract by Babcock in Devonport Dockyard. Single piece 4.5″ rounds removed from their containers and man-handled in the magazine of HMS Richmond. HMS Manchester firing her 4.5 inch Mk 8 Mod 0 (March 2005).Ĥ.5 inch Mk8 Mod 1 in action on HMS Defender. The round fibreglass gun shield was replaced by a more angular housing designed to reduce radar cross-section, its appearance giving rise to the nickname ‘Kryten’ after the mechanoid character in TV series Red Dwarf. The original Mod 0 mount was substantially upgraded to Mod 1 standard from 1998 with electric motors replacing most of the hydraulic actuators and servos, reducing weight and increasing safety and reliability. After overcoming initial reliability issues, the Mk 8 has matured into a solid performer with a maximum rate of fire of 26 rounds per minute, firing a 36.5 kg HE ER (extended range) shell up to about 27.5 Km. This lighter mount replaced the twin QF Mark V 45-calibre guns (later renamed the Mk 6 ) which equipped most destroyers and frigates built in the 60s. Since the 1970s, the Vickers Mk 8 113mm (4.5 inch) 55-calibre gun has equipped the majority of RN surface combatants. The closest was the twin QF 5.25-inch Mark I gun (50 calibre) which was a dual-purpose anti-aircraft anti-ship weapon brought into service during the second world war. Apart from an ancient muzzle-loading cannon used in the late 19th century, the RN has not previously employed guns of exactly this size. In naval use the, 5-inch gun are seen as having a good balance of firepower in relation to its size, typically installed on destroyers and as secondary armament for battleships. BAE Systems’ renowned Mk 45 127mm (5-inch) gun is already proven with navies worldwide and will be a considerable upgrade on the existing medium calibre gun. When the first Type 26 frigate becomes operational it will introduce another gun type to Royal Navy service.
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