MK 23 "Katie" nuclear shells for Iowa Class 16in main guns

[Loki1701e]

DB Selector

CWDB

Baseline

781 - 406mm/50 Triple HiCap Salvo [3 rnds]

Hypothetical

No

Name

MK23 "Katie" Nuclear shell

Length (m)

1.626

Width/Span (m)

0

Diameter (m)

.406

Weight (kg)

862

Range (nm)

21nmi

Target Altitude / Depth (ft)

ground level

Target Speed (kts)

No response

Launch Altitude / Depth (ft)

sea level

LaunchSpeed (kts)

34 knots

Warhead

15-20kt equivalent nuclear warhead

Targets

Surface Vessel, Land Structure - Soft, Land Structure - Hardened, Mobile Target - Soft, Mobile Target - Hardened, Mobile Target - Personnel

CEP (m)

140

Sensors

no sensors

Weapon Codes

No response

Comments

mk23 katie is essentially a nuclear 16 in shell derived from the w19 atomic cannon shell. Has the same weight, length, and characteristics as the mk13 and mk14 HE shells but instead of the HE filler its a thermonuclear warhead. Was made and put in inventory but never known if it was actually deployed or not due to us policy. only 1 turret on the ships were capable of housing the shells due to security reasons. iirc it was turret 2 but dont quote me. only in inventory to the early to mid 80s where it was believed to be dismantled. If they did carry them it would probably only be 3-5 shells. Picture below. It is also in the source below. Source is pretty credible for the long time i have been using it.

Sources

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_16-50_mk7.php

[tbrandon517]

CWDB has weapon id 493 - 406mm/50 Nuke Salvo currently carried by the 1953 version of Iowa and the 1967 version of New Jersey. Currently assigned to Turret III in the DB.

[Loki1701e]

ah my bad

[Loki1701e]

closed

[tbrandon517]

ah my bad

It's totally possible the entry could need to be tweaked.

[Loki1701e]

ah my bad

It's totally possible the entry could need to be tweaked.

that is true

[Loki1701e]

"USS Iowa, USS New Jersey and USS Wisconsin had an alteration made to Turret II magazine to incorporate a secure storage area for these projectiles. USS Missouri was not so altered as she had been placed in reserve in 1955. This secure storage area could contain ten nuclear shells plus nine Mark 24 practice shells. "

[Loki1701e]

also my source states the shells were withdrawn from service by 67 which iirc complements other sources. but nuclear stockpiles are always vauge at best

[PygmalionOfCyprus]

Took a quick glance at the entry just to see if anything was obviously wrong. Guns are pretty sparing when it comes to DB-side data so not too much to fill in. I did rename it to "406mm/50 Mk.23 Nuke Salvo" and added "Katie" to the comments so it's not as generic.

[Loki1701e]

oh cool thanks