Eli5 how the guns on large navy ships actually work? They are just shooting really large bullets at other ships in the sea? Like, does it use combustion to accelerate the projectile?

Question

Eli5 how the guns on large navy ships actually work? They are just shooting really large bullets at other ships in the sea? Like, does it use combustion to accelerate the projectile?

In: 9

Answer 1

The issue is not the firing, it’s the aiming. Very large guns have to take into account air temperature, barrel wear, wind and earth’s rotation – among other things – to hit accurately. Naval guns have also to take into account own ship’s course and speed and also target course and speed. Over 5% hits was reckoned good shooting before radar.