OTO Melara 76 mm

The OTO Melara 76 mm gun, marketed as the OTO 76/62 Gun Mount, is a naval autocannon built and designed by the Italian defence company OTO Melara. It is based on the OTO Melara 76/62C and evolved toward 76/62 SR and 76/62 Strales.

The system is compact enough to be installed on relatively small warships. Its high rate of fire and the availability of several types of ammunition make it capable of short-range anti-missile point defence, anti-aircraft, anti-surface, and ground support. Ammunition includes armour-piercing, incendiary, directed fragmentation effects, and a guided round marketed as capable of destroying maneuvering anti-ship missiles. It can be installed in a stealth cupola.

The OTO Melara 76 mm has been widely exported, and is in use by sixty navies. It was favored over the French 100mm naval gun for the joint French/Italian Horizon-class frigate project and FREMM frigate.

On 27 September 2006 Iran announced it had started mass production of the Fajr-27, which is a reverse-engineered copy of the OTO Melara 76 mm Compact gun.

Other specifications

 * Cooling: sea water—fresh water for flushing
 * Electrical Power supply
 * 440 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz, main circuit;
 * 115 V, 1-phase, 400 Hz, servo and synchro network

Compact
The original version has a rate of fire of 85 rounds per minute.

Super Rapid
The Super Rapid or "Super Rapido" variant, with a higher rate of fire of 120 rounds per minute, was developed in the early 1980s and remains current. The Super Rapid's higher rate of fire was achieved by designing a faster feed system.

Strales System
The Italian navy preferred the improved Super Rapido with Strales System and DART ammunition to the Fast Forty 40 mm CIWS in the anti-missile defense role as it is capable of countering several subsonic missiles up to 8,000 meters away. It is a medium caliber gun with relatively long range, and can also be used against surface targets.

Sovraponte
The 76/62 Sovraponte ("over deck") is a new compact lightweight mount for the 76/62 gun. The system is around 30–40% lighter than the standard Super Rapid and its installation requires no penetration of the deck below; the mount houses 76 ready-to-fire rounds and is available for sale both with or without the Strales system. The Sovraponte mount was installed for the first time on the Thaon di Revel-class patrol vessel of the Italian Navy, positioned above the roof of the helicopter hangar.

Ammunition
To provide multiple roles for the gun, OTO provides the user with wide ranges of specialized ammunition:
 * HE standard: weight 6.296 kg, range 16 km, effective 8 km (10 km vs. air targets at 85°)
 * MOM: developed by OTO (Multirole OTO Munition)
 * PFF: anti-missile projectile, with proximity fuze and tungsten balls embedded in the shell for defined fragmentation effect
 * SAPOM: 6.35 kg (0.46 kg HE), range 16 km (SAPOMER: 20 km) semi-armour piercing
 * DART: guided projectile for anti-aircraft and anti-missile manoeuvering targets
 * VULCANO: 5 kg, guided (GLR) projectile with a maximum range around 40 km (it is a smaller version of the 127 mm Vulcano)

Fire control system
There were evolutions in the gun's fire control systems as well. The early versions (Compatto) utilised radars such the RTN-10X Orion (made by Selenia, now Selex);

From the early 1980s the gun was equipped with a more powerful and flexible system, the RTN-30X (used with the Dardo-E CIWS system and known within the Italian Navy as SPG-73), that was capable to manage both guns (40, 76, and 127 mm calibres) and missiles (Sea Sparrow-Aspide). This system came into service with the Italian Navy on the cruiser Garibaldi (C551: the RTN-30X entered service first on the Maestrale-class frigates; the Dardo 40 mm turret was slaved to the smaller and older RTN-20X radars), but still with the twin 40 mm Dardo's turrets. The first ship equipped with Dardo E and 76 mm Super Rapido was the upgraded Audace-class destroyers, later followed by the Durand de la Penne class. The 76/62 has also been used with many other fire control systems when not in Italian service.

Fuses
There have been many developments in the fuses, essential to shoot down low-flying missiles. The best fuze developed for the 76/62 guns is arguably the 3A-Plus programmable multi-role fuse, manufactured by OTO Melara and Simmel Difesa, introduced in the early 2000s. This fuse requires the installation of a fuse programmer in the mount.

The programmable multi-role fuse features several modes including a time mode for air burst and a number of proximity modes: gated proximity, anti-missile proximity, conventional air defense proximity and anti-surface proximity.

The fusing includes a DSP which rejects ground/sea clutter and so is capable of detecting a missile flying as low as two meters above sea level. It has the capability to recognise a target at a 10-meter stand-off. In all, the fuze greatly increases the effectiveness of the gun when engaging anti-ship missiles.

DART
Since the 1980s efforts were made for development of guided 76 mm ammunition, but this was not achieved until recently. The first such ammunition was the CCS (Course Corrected Shell), also known as 'CORRETTO'; a joint program of OTO and British Aerospace. Work started in 1985. The projectile had several small rockets in order to deviate the trajectory. Radio commands were sent from the ship FCS. The FCS did not know the exact position of the projectile, only that of the target. This system was too complex and unreliable, so OTO studied another development in order to obtain a real 'guided ammunition'.

The result of this development is a system which was called DAVIDE just for the Italian market and STRALES for export purposes while the fired guided ammunition is called DART (Driven Ammunition Reduced Time of flight).

The DART projectile is similar in many aspects to other hyper-velocity systems, for example the Starstreak SAM missile's multi-dart warhead, but is a guided gun projectile with radio controls and a proximity fuze for low level engagement (up to 2 meters over the sea). DART is fired at 1200 m/s, can reach 5 km range in only 5 seconds, and can perform up to 40G maneuver. The DART projectile is made of two parts: the forward is free to rotate and has two small canard wings for flight control. The aft part has the 2.5 kg warhead (with tungsten cubes and the 3A millimetric wave new fuse), six fixed wings and the radio receivers.

The guidance system is Command Line of Sight (CLOS). It uses a TX antenna installed on gun. The radio-command for them is provided on a broadcast data-link (Ka Band).

The first lot of DART 76mm guided ammunition, produced by OTO Melara, was successfully tested at the end of March, 2014. The firing trials were conducted on board one of the Italian Navy's ships equipped with Strales 76mm SR and Selex NA25 fire control system. The first firing trials of the DART ammunition bought by Colombia in 2012 were successfully conducted in the Caribbean Sea on 29 August from the 76/62 Strales inner-layer defence system fitted to its modernized FS 1500 Padilla-class frigates.

VULCANO
The more recent development is the VULCANO 76 ammunition system. Basically, it is a scaled-down version of the 127–155 mm Vulcano family of extended-range projectiles developed by OTO Melara; guided by an inertial navigation system and Global Positioning Systems, it is capable of hitting targets twice the distance of normal 76 mm gun ammunition. GPS-IMU guidance and IR or SALT Terminal sensor. The Vulcan 76 GLR ammunition is expected to complete the development, test and qualification process by late 2022 with the delivery of production rounds to customers from 2023–24 onwards.

Other uses
Most of the basic ammunition types offered for the OTO Melara 76mm can also be fired from the South African Rooikat armoured car with slight modification to change from electric to percussion primers. This is the only land-based vehicle system capable of deploying the same ammunition as its naval counterpart.

Asia

 * BNS Bangabandhu (Ulsan class frigate)
 * BNS Somudra Joy (ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutter)
 * BNS Somudra Avijan(ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutter)
 * BNS Somudra Avijan(ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutter)


 * Brunei
 * KDB As-Siddiq (ex-Singaporean Fearless-class patrol vessel)
 * KDB A-Faruq (ex-Singaporean Fearless-class patrol vessel)


 * Ahmad Yani-class frigate (ex-RNLN Van Speijk-class frigates)
 * Diponegoro-class corvette
 * OPV 90M (Planned)
 * Bung Tomo-class corvette
 * Martadinata-class frigate
 * Paiton Naval Gunnery Firing Range (OTO Melara 76mm Compact)
 * Paiton Naval Gunnery Firing Range (OTO Melara 76mm Compact)


 * INS Vikrant (aircraft carrier)
 * Visakhapatnam-class destroyer
 * Kolkata-class destroyer
 * Rajput-class destroyer (3 out of 5 ships after refit)
 * Godavari-class frigate (decommissioned)
 * Brahmaputra-class frigate
 * Shivalik-class frigate
 * Talwar-class frigate (Mounted on 1 of 6 ships, with other ships to receive the gun during MLU)
 * Kora-class corvette
 * Kamorta-class corvette
 * Veer-class corvette (Mounted on the last 2 of 13 ships)
 * Samar-class offshore patrol vessel (operated by the Indian Coast Guard)
 * Samar-class offshore patrol vessel (operated by the Indian Coast Guard)


 * Sa'ar 3-class missile boat (decommissioned)
 * Sa'ar 4-class missile boat (decommissioned)
 * Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat
 * Sa'ar 6-class corvette
 * Sa'ar 6-class corvette


 * Hatsuyuki-class destroyer (decommissioned)
 * Asagiri-class destroyer
 * Murasame-class destroyer (1994) destroyer
 * Minegumo-class destroyer (JDS Murakumo only) (decommissioned)
 * JDS Ishikari (DE-226) (decommissioned)
 * Yubari-class destroyer escort (decommissioned)
 * Abukuma-class destroyer escort
 * Hayabusa-class patrol boat
 * Hayabusa-class patrol boat


 * 🇰🇵 North Korea (OTO Melara 76mm gun believed to have been acquired illegally from Iran or Myanmar)


 * Nampo-class corvette
 * Nongo-class Fast Attack Craft
 * Ulsan-class frigate
 * Pohang-class corvette
 * Donghae-class corvette (decommissioned)
 * Gumdoksuri-class patrol vessel
 * Gumdoksuri-class patrol vessel


 * Laksamana-class corvette
 * Kedah-class offshore patrol vessel
 * Kedah-class offshore patrol vessel


 * Aung Zeya-class frigate
 * Kyan Sittha-class frigate
 * Anawrahta-class corvette
 * Anawrahta-class corvette


 * Khareef-class corvette
 * Khareef-class corvette


 * PNS Alamgir (ex-USN Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate)
 * PNS Alamgir (ex-USN Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate)


 * $\phi$
 * Jose Rizal-class frigate
 * Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel (ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutters)
 * Jacinto-class patrol vessel (ex-British Peacock-class corvettes)
 * BRP Conrado Yap (ex-South Korean Pohang-class corvette)
 * Tarlac-class landing platform dock (planned)


 * Al Riyadh-class frigate
 * Badr-class corvette
 * Al Sadiq-class patrol boat
 * Al Sadiq-class patrol boat




 * Endurance-class landing platform dock
 * Formidable-class frigate
 * Victory-class corvette
 * Fearless-class patrol vessel
 * Independence-class littoral mission vessel
 * Independence-class littoral mission vessel


 * SLNS Gajabahu (P626) (ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutter)
 * SLNS Nandimithra (P701) (ex-Israeli Sa'ar 4-class missile boat)
 * SLNS Suranimala (P702) (ex-Israeli Sa'ar 4-class missile boat)
 * SLNS Suranimala (P702) (ex-Israeli Sa'ar 4-class missile boat)


 * Cheng Kung-class frigate
 * Kang Ding-class frigate
 * Tuo Chiang-class corvette
 * Ching Chiang-class patrol ship
 * Yushan-class landing platform dock
 * Yushan-class landing platform dock


 * Pattani offshore patrol vessel
 * Ratanakosin-class corvette
 * Ratcharit-class missile boat
 * Chuburi-class patrol boat
 * Tapi-class corvette
 * Khamronsin-class corvette
 * Laemsing-class patrol boat
 * Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate
 * Krabi offshore patrol vessel
 * Doğan-class fast attack craft
 * Kılıç-class fast attack craft
 * Kılıç-II-class fast attack craft
 * Yıldız-class fast attack craft
 * G-class frigate
 * Milgem-class corvette
 * G-class frigate
 * Milgem-class corvette


 * Baynunah-class corvette
 * Baynunah-class corvette


 * 🇱🇧 Lebanon
 * Combattante FS56-class fast attack craft


 * VPNS 18 (ex-South Korean Pohang-class corvette)
 * VPNS 20 (ex-South Korean Pohang-class corvette)
 * CSB 8020 (ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutter) (operated by Vietnam Coast Guard)
 * CSB 8021 (ex-USCG Hamilton-class cutter cutter) (operated by Vietnam Coast Guard)
 * With at least one more Hamilton-class cutter and/or Pohang-class corvette to be delivered.

Africa

 * Kalaat Béni Abbès-class
 * Kalaat Béni Abbès-class


 * Ambassador MK III-class missile boat
 * Descubierta-class corvette
 * Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
 * Ramadan-class missile boat
 * Tiger-class fast attack craft
 * Gowind 2500 corvette
 * FREMM multipurpose frigate
 * FREMM multipurpose frigate


 * Mohammed VI (701) (FREMM multipurpose frigate)
 * Sigma-class corvette
 * Lieutenant Colonel Errhamani (501) (Descubierta-class corvette)
 * Mohammed V (611) and Hassan II (Floréal-class frigates)
 * Lazaga-class patrol vessel
 * Bir Anzaran-class patrol vessel
 * Bir Anzaran-class patrol vessel


 * Warrior-class patrol vessel (converted from fast attack craft with missiles launchers and rear 76mm gun removed) (1 ship in service)
 * Valour-class frigate
 * Rooikat
 * Rooikat


 * ex-Albatros-class fast attack crafts
 * ex-Albatros-class fast attack crafts

Europe

 * Karel Doorman-class frigate
 * Karel Doorman-class frigate

The Bulgarian Navy's New Multifunctional patrol ships will be armed with an OTO Melara 76/62mm SP/MF(Super Rapid, Multiple feed) Cannon.


 * Willemoes-class missile boat (decommissioned)
 * Niels Juel-class corvette (decommissioned)
 * Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel
 * Thetis-class ocean patrol vessel
 * Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate
 * Knud Rasmussen-class patrol vessel
 * Knud Rasmussen-class patrol vessel


 * FREMM multipurpose frigate
 * Horizon-class frigate


 * Brandenburg-class frigate
 * Bremen-class frigate (decommissioned)
 * Sachsen-class frigate
 * Braunschweig-class corvette
 * Gepard-class fast attack craft (decommissioned)
 * Gepard-class fast attack craft (decommissioned)


 * Tiger-class fast attack craft (decommissioned)
 * Tiger-class fast attack craft (decommissioned)


 * Elli-class frigate (Kortenaer-class frigate)
 * La Combattante IIa-class fast attack craft
 * La Combattante IIIa-class fast attack craft
 * La Combattante IIIb-class fast attack craft
 * Osprey 55-class gunboat
 * HSY-55-class gunboat
 * Osprey HSY-56A-class gunboat
 * Roussen-class fast attack craft
 * Jason-class tank landing ship
 * Jason-class tank landing ship




 * Peacock-class patrol vessel (decommissioned)
 * Róisín-class offshore patrol vessel
 * Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel
 * Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel


 * Audace-class destroyer (decommissioned)
 * ITALIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER Cavour
 * Comandanti-class patrol vessel
 * Durand de la Penne-class destroyer
 * FREMM multipurpose frigate
 * Fulmine gunboat (decommissioned)
 * Minerva-class corvette (decommissioned)
 * Orizzonte-class frigate
 * San Giorgio-class amphibious transport dock (1 out of 3 ships after refit)
 * Sparviero-class patrol boat (hydrofoil, decommissioned)
 * Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel
 * Trieste LHD


 * Karel Doorman-class frigate
 * Holland-class offshore patrol vessel
 * Holland-class offshore patrol vessel


 * Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate
 * Skjold-class corvette
 * Skjold-class corvette


 * Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
 * ORP Ślązak offshore patrol vessel
 * ORP Ślązak offshore patrol vessel


 * Bartolomeu Dias-class frigate (ex-RNLN Karel Doorman-class frigate)
 * Bartolomeu Dias-class frigate (ex-RNLN Karel Doorman-class frigate)


 * Regele Ferdinand (F221) (ex-British Type 22-class frigate)
 * Regina Maria (F222) (ex-British Type 22-class frigate)
 * Regina Maria (F222) (ex-British Type 22-class frigate)


 * Santa María-class frigate
 * Descubierta-class corvette (decommissioned)
 * Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessel
 * Meteoro-class offshore patrol vessel


 * Hetman Ivan Mazepa Ada-class corvette (under construction/launched (as of the beginning of 2023))
 * Hetman Ivan Mazepa Ada-class corvette (under construction/launched (as of the beginning of 2023))

Oceania

 * Adelaide-class frigate (decommissioned)
 * Adelaide-class frigate (decommissioned)

North America

 * Iroquois-class destroyer (after TRUMP modifications, decommissioned 2017)
 * Iroquois-class destroyer (after TRUMP modifications, decommissioned 2017)


 * Famous-class cutter (USCG)
 * Hamilton-class cutter (USCG) (decommissioned)
 * Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate (USN, decommissioned))
 * Pegasus-class hydrofoil (USN, decommissioned)
 * Pegasus-class hydrofoil (USN, decommissioned)


 * Oaxaca-class patrol vessel
 * Oaxaca-class patrol vessel

South America

 * Espora-class corvette
 * Intrépida-class fast attack craft
 * Intrépida-class fast attack craft


 * Tamandaré-class frigate (under construction)
 * Tamandaré-class frigate (under construction)


 * Karel Doorman-class frigate
 * CNS Almirante Williams (ex-British Type 22-class frigate)
 * Sa'ar 4-class missile boat
 * Tiger-class fast attack craft (decommissioned)
 * OPV-80-class patrol vessel
 * OPV-80-class patrol vessel


 * Almirante Padilla-class frigate – modernised with Strales 76 mm and DART guided ammunition
 * OPV-80-class patrol vessel
 * OPV-80-class patrol vessel


 * Esmeraldas-class corvette
 * Quito-class missile boat
 * Quito-class missile boat


 * PR-72P-class corvette
 * PR-72P-class corvette


 * Guaiquerí OPV
 * Guaicamacuto OPV
 * Constitución Class OPV
 * Constitución Class OPV