AGS.

This is coolbert

One hundred years ago the scientific, engineering, manufacturing and technological advancement of a nation could be measured to some degree of certainty by the size of the large-bore naval guns as were the main armaments of battleships.:

Guns as mounted on battleships of the period 12 inch [300 mm] bore or larger the rule, the greater the bore size [diameter of the barrel at the muzzle], the length of the barrel in calibers [ratio of the barrel length to bore diameter], the range, accuracy, rapidity of fire, size and lethality of round fired an indication of "scientific, engineering, manufacturing and technological" know-how!

A NATION USING THEIR OWN RESOURCES TO DEVELOP, DESIGN, MANUFACTURE SUCH BIG BORE NAVAL GUNS SAID TO BE "ADVANCED"! Respected world powers of the time able to do so!

A battleship able to fire a larger and more lethal round further, more accurately, more faster obviously at an advantage over an adversary.

This modern AGS [Advanced Gun System] as it is the MOST advanced naval gun in the world [and the largest also to my knowledge] surely is an indication of continued American naval technological supremacy?

As installed on the DDG class of destroyer that naval has extraordinary range and extreme accuracy when firing those terminal guided [precision] guided munitions. Also able to fire conventional and improved munitions, albeit of the 155 mm [6 inch] variety, far smaller than the guns as found on a conventional battleship from that era of 100 years ago now.

Features of the AGS that indicate high technology and engineering expertise to include:

* Water-cooled barrel.
* Retractable barrel.
* Automation.

[those 155 mm improved munitions would include some sort of COFRAM round or similar? Deliver bomblets on the target each and every bomblet when detonating giving forth a spew of lethal fragments]

AGS can also be employed against other naval surface targets that are a threat to the DDG or other nearby American naval vessels? An armor piercing and guided round is available for sinking an enemy ship in the old-fashioned manner?

Even more important is that the AGS is linked [as are other weapons on the DDG] to a net-centric capacity. An input from a variety of sources all simultaneously to provide targeting info very accurate allowing for destruction of a target with a MINIMUM of rounds fired, registration and ranging almost non-existent!! ONE round fired, ONE hit, ONE target destroyed!!

Data net-centric from a variety of inputs to include: [but not limited to]

* GPS.
* Satellites.
* Drones.
* Unattended Ground Sensors. [UGS]
* SLAR-MTI.
* ANGLICO. [friendlies on the ground]

Some will suggest that a six inch [155 mm] naval gun is even then way too small, the guns of the period 100 years ago twice as large AT A MINIMUM but also consider that the role of naval warfare as we understand it has also radically changed, the COST too of one warship as the DDG class so expensive that few if almost NO other nation in the world other than the U.S. even contemplates such a weapon.

War at sea today is NOT the same as it was in the time Dewey, Fisher, and Jellico!

coolbert.