EXPLOSION IN TURRET TWO
Investigation Continued

            malfunction, defective base sealing of projectiles, and gaps in projectile explosive filler.  The NEWPORT NEWS 8” ADF casualty must not divert attention from the need for corrective actions with respect to all other safety hazards, in all fleet ammunition calibers.

60.             Some improvement in projectile bore safety should result from adoption of the ADF Mks 379/395 design in all fleet calibers.  But by itself this cannot provide adequate safeguard against manufacturing errors or inspection defects.

61.             In early due course, the size of gap safety allowable between projectile base or BDF tip and the explosive filler should be verified by an experimental firing program for Explosive D.

62.             An automatic flame barrier, as a minimum to be closed except during hoist motion, should be added to NEWPORT NEWS – class 8” powder hoists.  Similar barriers should also be incorporated in the powder hoists of 6”/47 turret and 5”/54 rapid fire mounts.

63.            Gun ammunition quality with respect to user safety has deteriorated markedly in recent years.  The timing correlates with organizational changes which have degraded defective control over ammunition technical matters.

64.            Excessive gun ammunition accident rates will continue until effective command control and management is restored.

65.            At recent rates of Southeast Asia gun ammunition expenditure, the next in-bore projectile premature can be expected statistically at any moment.

66.            Fleet gunnery doctrines for slow salvo fire should provide that gun remain unloaded, breech open, until loaded on command just before the intended time of firing each salvo.

67.            Qualified commissioned turret officers should be assigned in all turrets 6”/47 and larger, to be on station during any expected firing.

RECOMMENDATIONS 

68.             We recommend that the Chief of Naval Material:

a.         Take all actions within his authority to establish COMNAVORDSYSCOM as the single commander having responsibility, authority, and accountability for all technical matters concerning naval gun ammunition, including design, test, procurement, and life-cycle technical control.  Among other actions these should include return of NOL

            (page 19)