This was the standard major-caliber AAA weapon of the Marine Nationale during the 1950s and was used on many cruisers and destroyers. It was a completely new design that took advantage of the availability of US ammunition for both surface and anti-aircraft uses. The design was significant in that it was the first high-angle destroyer mounting ever used by the French, reflecting hard-earned experience gained during the war that destroyers lacking DP armament were highly vulnerable to aircraft attack.
| Designation | 127 mm/54 (5") Model 1948 |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | Surcouf (T47), Duperré (T53), De Grasse and Colbert classes |
| Date Of Design | 1948 |
| Date In Service | 1956 |
| Gun Weight | N/A |
| Gun Length | N/A |
| Bore Length | About 270.0 in (6.858 m) |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Grooves | N/A |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | 825.38 in3 (13.525 dm3) |
| Rate Of Fire | 15 - 18 rounds per minute |
| Type | Separate |
|---|---|
| Projectile Types and Weights | See table below |
| Bursting Charge | See table below |
| Projectile Length | N/A |
| Propellant Charge | 18.5 lbs. (8.188 kg) Cartridge: 34.1 lbs (15.5 kg) |
| Muzzle Velocity | HC: 2,650 fps (808 mps) 1 |
| Working Pressure | 18.5 tons/in2 (2,758 kg/cm2) 1 |
| Approximate Barrel Life | N/A |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | De Grasse and Colbert: 300 rounds Others: N/A |
| Type | Shell Weight | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| AAC Mark 41 | 69.45 lbs. (31.505 kg) | 7.75 lbs. (3.515 kg) |
| HC Mark 41 | 69.33 lbs. (31.448 kg) | 7.75 lbs. (3.515 kg) |
| Illum Mark 48 | 69.2 lbs. (31.389 kg) | Parachute Flare |
| HE Com Mark 42 | 70.00 lbs. (31.751 kg) | 2.14 lbs. (0.971 kg) |
| VT Mark 41 | 69.19 lbs. (31.384 kg) | 7.87 lbs. (3.570 kg) |
| Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|
| 45 degrees | 24,060 yards (22,000 m) |
| AA Ceiling @ 85 degrees | 29,530 feet (9,000 m) |
Although this weapon used standard USN 5"/54 (127 mm) ammunition, its stated range was significantly less than that for USN 5"/54 (12.7 cm) guns for unknown reasons. It is possible that the range is for "average gun" velocities rather than for "new gun" velocities.
| Designation | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 48 tons (49 mt) |
| Elevation | -10 / +80 degrees |
| Rate of Elevation | N/A |
| Train | about -150 / +150 degrees |
| Rate of Train | N/A |
| Gun Recoil | N/A |
- ^Five destroyers of the Surcouf class were also rearmed with 100 mm Model 1968 guns during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- ^All 127 mm guns were removed from Colbert when she was converted to a missile ship between 1970 and 1972, being replaced with a Masurca missile system and two 100 mm Model 1968 guns.
Data from:
- "Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
- "The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/1992" by Norman Friedman
- "French Cruisers: 1922 - 1956" by John Jordan and Jean Moulin
- "Surcouf: The French Postwar Destroyers" articles by John Jordan in "Warship Volume IX"
Other: