The United States Navy

Mark 45 ~ 5-inch, 54-caliber lightweight gun

Description: The 54-caliber (Mk 45) lightweight gun provides surface combatants accurate naval gunfire against fast, highly maneuverable surface targets, air threats and shore targets during amphibious operations.

Background: This lightweight gun system offers significant improvements in reliability and maintainability over the 54-caliber Mk 42 gun systems. The Mk 45 is controlled by either the Mk 86 Gun Fire Control System or the Mk 160 Gun Computing System.

Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command (OOD)
Washington, DC 20360

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Fully-automatic, lightweight gun mount.
Range: 13 nautical miles (14.9 statue miles)
Type of Fire: 16-20 rounds per minute automatic
Magazine Capacity: 475-500 rounds per magazine.
Caliber: 5 inch (12.7 cm)
Date Deployed: 1971 (Mark 45)


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