PN's Oto Melara 76mm gun among best worldwide

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 25): PN's Oto Melara 76mm gun among best worldwide

The Oto Melara 76mm gun arming the three Jacinto-class patrol vessels and two Hamilton-class cutters in in the country's naval service is a very good weapon system and is currently being used by 53 naval forces worldwide.

Contrary to claims the gun is too light to deter would-be-intruders and poachers encroaching on Philippine waters, the 76mm cannon can fire 60 to 80 rounds a minute against naval, air, or even ground targets. The gun's high rate of fire makes it suitable for short-range anti-missile point defense, according to military sources. Specialized ammunition is available for armor piercing, incendiary and directed fragmentation effects and there is also a new guided round that is supposed to be able to destroy maneuvering anti-ship missiles.

Another advantage of this weapon, the sources add, is that it is light and compact enough to be installed in warship weighing 750 gross tons or even less, the configuration of most naval vessels in the PN. The 76 mm gun is a naval artillery piece built by the Italian defense conglomerate Otobreda. It is based on the Oto Melara 76mm/L62 Allargato, which was bigger and heavier.

The PN was introduced to the unique capabilities of the 76mm Oto Melara cannon when it acquired three Peacock class patrol ships (renamed the Jacinto class) from the United Kingdom in Aug. 1, 1997. Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, acting PN spokesperson, said that this gun is one of the best weapon platform in service with the country today.

The Oto Melara 76 mm gun arming the said ships is the primary weapon and is mounted in a turret forward of the bridge. It has a range of up to 10 nautical miles (20 kms). It is remotely controlled from within the combat information center by the gunnery officer and has no crew within the turret itself. The gun in Philippine service can fire 80 rounds in 60 seconds from its ready magazine, and the ships can carry a total of 450 rounds.

By Friday, all three vessels of the Jacinto class, BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36, and BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37) are still active and still in good condition. The three vessels have undergone weapons, electronics, propulsion and hull upgrades in PN service, increasing their capabilities as compared to the original Peacock class vessels, according to sources.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=490818