I know that the 57mm isn't exactly a big gun, and I know the military stated that it wasn't designed for naval fire support in the response to the "Big Bucks, Little Bang" article, but I had an idea about a way to utilize the Mk 57 for the fire support role, and was wondering if anyone else could give any feedback as to whether or not it's a good idea:
One issue that might be faced in an amphibious landing onto defended terrain is barbed wire/razor wire. The Mk 110 might be able to clear wire obstacles -- it has a high rate of fire to allow it to "chew through" wire quickly, and I don't think a large charge would be required to do the job (although I don't exactly have experience with the use of explosives to clear barbed wire, so I may be wrong). In fact, the 57mm's small size and the 3P's airburst setting could be a major advantage, as it would not create large craters that would hinder landing forces (a la World War 1).
Is that a feasible idea? I know the 57mm won't be useful against hardened structures or indirect fire support (the five inch or 155mm guns would be better for that), but I feel that it could be good for clearing light obstacles, such as wire, without damaging the terrain.
One issue that might be faced in an amphibious landing onto defended terrain is barbed wire/razor wire. The Mk 110 might be able to clear wire obstacles -- it has a high rate of fire to allow it to "chew through" wire quickly, and I don't think a large charge would be required to do the job (although I don't exactly have experience with the use of explosives to clear barbed wire, so I may be wrong). In fact, the 57mm's small size and the 3P's airburst setting could be a major advantage, as it would not create large craters that would hinder landing forces (a la World War 1).
Is that a feasible idea? I know the 57mm won't be useful against hardened structures or indirect fire support (the five inch or 155mm guns would be better for that), but I feel that it could be good for clearing light obstacles, such as wire, without damaging the terrain.