Description
The most common version, modèle 68, features a completely automatic action and control. The ammunition is stored in a magazine underneath the turret, and fed to the gun by a lift regularly manned by two crewmen. A flexible pipe allows feeding the gun under any orientation.
Rounds of ammunition are fed automatically; empty shell is ejected through an evacuation door on the front of the turret after firing. Cooling is provided by water circulating in layers of steel around the tube of the gun, and by an injection of air and water after every shot.
The turret can be used in three modes:
- Remote control by the main weapon control system, from the Operation Center
- Remote control from a secondary weapon control system
- Manual control by the joystick at the left of the gun (except the 100TR version)
In manual mode, two crewmen serve the turret: the gunner, at the left of the gun, uses a joystick to point the gun, and optic ranging and aiming instruments to direct the fire; the observer monitors the operations from the back of the turret.
Aiming is performed by two electric motors, one for the elevation (left of the turret) and the other for the traverse (right of the turret). Two hydraulic systems feed the gun. The gun can also be moved manually for maintenance.
Since it is usually installed on the bow deck of warships, these turrets are often exposed to breaking waves and humidity. To prevent corrosion and mechanical problems, the turret is made water-tight by rubber joints. The gun itself is sealed by a rubber tampion, which can be shot through in case of emergency.
The plexiglas viewbay used to manually aim the gun is usually protected by a steel cover.
Read more about this topic: French 100 Mm Naval Gun
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