How Much Does a Naval Shell Weigh?

The weight of a naval shell can vary significantly depending on the type of shell and its intended use. This article explores various types of naval shells, including naval guns, missile warheads, and torpedoes, their respective weights, and provides a simple rule to estimate the weight of a shell based on its diameter.

Naval Gun Shells

Naval gun shells can be categorized into different sizes, each with its own unique weight. Below are the general examples of the weight of various naval shells:

5-inch 127 mm shells: Typically weigh around 70-80 pounds (32-36 kg). 6-inch 152 mm shells: Weigh about 100-120 pounds (45-54 kg). 8-inch 203 mm shells: Can weigh between 200-300 pounds (91-136 kg). 16-inch 406 mm shells: Used by battleships, these can weigh around 2700 pounds (1225 kg).

Missile Warheads

The weight of missile warheads can vary widely depending on the type of missile. For instance, a Tomahawk cruise missile warhead can weigh about 1000 pounds (454 kg).

Torpedoes

The weight of torpedoes can also be substantial. For example, a Mark 48 torpedo weighs about 3000 pounds (1361 kg).

A Simple Rule to Estimate Shell Weight

There is a simple rule that can be used to estimate the weight of a shell based on its diameter. If the diameter of the base of a shell is d in inches, then the weight in pounds is given by:

Weight d x d x d / 2

This rule works reasonably well for World War I and World War II era guns. Let us explore some examples to better understand its application:

German 50mm gun: About 2 inches in diameter - Weight 2 x 2 x 2 / 2 4 lbs 3-inch gun: - Weight 3 x 3 x 3 / 2 13.5 lbs (which is about right for most) 4-inch gun: - Weight 4 x 4 x 4 / 2 32 lbs 10-inch gun: - Weight 10 x 10 x 10 / 2 500 lbs

It is important to note that this rule assumes shells are mathematically similar. In World War I, there was a trend towards 'heavy' shells that deviated from this rule:

British standard 13.5-inch shell: Rule gives 1230 lbs, actual 1250 lbs British heavy 13.5-inch shell: Actual weight 1400 lbs

For the same amount of propellant, the heavy shell would have a lower initial velocity, which would reduce barrel wear, increase accuracy, and enhance its armor-piercing capabilities.

In conclusion, the weight of naval shells, missile warheads, and torpedoes can range widely depending on their purpose and design. By applying the simple rule mentioned above, one can get a rough estimate of the weight of a shell based on its diameter.