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Main Battery Fire Control Procedures (1954)

1954 · Short film · 16 min

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Synopsis

Made in 1954, this U.S. Navy film "Main Battery Fire Control Procedures" shows the main battery fire control procedures aboard a heavy cruiser or battleship. Here, a ship detects an unidentified surface contact and promptly goes to General Quarters to prepare for battle. The film explains the roles of various stations involved in the main battery fire control system, including the conning tower, combat information center, control forward and aft, spotting stations, and turrets. As the ship maneuvers toward the enemy, all stations report ready and a surface target—a cruiser—is identified. The main battery fire control is set up for coordinated firing, with continuous tracking, target ranging, and ammunition loading underway. Turret crews align their sights using data from the plotting room, and firing commences with adjustments made after an initial misfire. Spotting teams analyze shell impacts and correct aim, shifting to rapid salvo fire to maintain pressure on the target. After successful hits and confirmation from radar, the target is destroyed, and the ship secures from General Quarters, having demonstrated effective teamwork and fire control procedures throughout the engagement. 0:00 – Initial contact detected and identified; orders given to prepare for battle. 2:05 – Explanation of main battery fire control roles and stations on the ship. 4:15 – Description of communication systems and fire control circuits. 5:31 – Stations report manned and ready; ship maneuvers…

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Details

Running time
16 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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