Loading AI tools
Type of anti-submarine mortar From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Menon was an anti-submarine mortar used by the Italian Navy during the Cold War. Introduced in 1956, it was used on the Centauro-class and Bergamini-class frigates and Impetuoso-class destroyers until their retirement in the 1980s.
Menon | |
---|---|
![]() A triple-barrel Menon ASW mortar mounted in front of the superstructure aboard the Italian frigate Cigno, 1959 | |
Type | Anti-submarine mortar |
Place of origin | Italy |
Service history | |
In service | 1956–1980s |
Used by | Italian Navy |
Production history | |
Produced | 1956–1960s |
Variants | Short barrelled |
Specifications | |
Crew | 3 |
Shell | 160 kg (350 lb) |
Calibre | 305 mm (12 in) |
Barrels | 3 |
Maximum firing range | 1,500 yd (1,372 m) |
The Menon system fired a 305-millimeter (12 in) projectile weighing 160 kilograms (350 lb) to a maximum range of 1,500 meters (4,900 ft).[1] It fired 21 rounds in 70 seconds that covered an area of about 90 by 180 square yards (75 by 151 m2).[2]
The initial version consisted of a three-barrel mortar in a rotating, enclosed mounting that was usually positioned forward of the superstructure, but aft of the gun mounts.[1] This was replaced by the K 113 weapon with a single 4.6-meter (15 ft 1 in) barrel in the same type of mounting, albeit with a fixed elevation of 45°. By varying the gas vent valves in the three powder chambers, the weapon had a range between 400 and 900 meters (440 and 980 yd). The K 113 fired a seven-round pattern, loaded automatically from a seven-round cylinder.[2]
Short-barreled models were also used, although details are lacking.
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.