WASHINGTON—Announcement that the navy had perfected a five inch anti-aircraft gun which, in practice, has proved far superior to the three-inch guns now in use, was made at the navy department. No battleships have yet been equipped with the new arm, but plans are under way for installing the new guns together with improved fire control on the battleship Maryland this summer, when she is docked for overhaul.
Easy to Handle.
According to naval officers the new guns are not only easier to handle, but have a much greater range than the old weapon. With these, it is believed, it will be possible to keep hostile aircraft so high that much of their effectiveness will be lost.
It was also said that aside from the greater range, the explosive effect of the shells used is much greater than with the present anti-aircraft weapon. With the new fire control apparatus it is believed that much greater accuracy can be attained.
Guns Are Effective.
In making this public, navy officials stated that recent tests with the three-inch guns demonstrated conclusively that anti-aircraft gunnery is effective and that it is possible to ward off aerial attack.
Prior to this year the type of airplane defense has been in the experimental stage and the results accomplished have not been satisfactory. This year, however, the work of the anti-aircraft gunners has been much better. This has been especially true, it was said, of the practices of the fleet on the Pacific coast.
The Milwaukee Leader, Milwaukee, WI, April 25, 1925