Made in 1954, this U.S. Navy film shows the main battery fire control procedures aboard a heavy cruiser or battleship. The film shows a target being acquired, general quarters being sounded (1:30), and the general alarm being sounded (1:50). At 2:00, the fire control procedures are shown as the ship prepares to fire its main battery. The bridge, combat information center, control forward (location of the gunnery officer), and control aft are shown. Spot one and two are shown at 3:19, as well as the battery control director, which can fix the location of enemy targets. The Main Battery Targeting room is shown at 3:37. At 7:16, the Main Battery Officer gives the order to make a primary attack using a given fire control set-up. At 9;35, the sight angle and deflection as well as other values received from the plotting room are input, to align the turret with the target. At 12:22, the order to shoot is given and the results assessed. Salvos are now launched and at 13:00, rapid loading of the guns is seen with ammunition bags and shells being quickly moved into position and guns fired when ready. At 16:00 the ship secures from general quarters and the target is pronounced destroyed.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com