Introduction

The 100mm Creusot-Loire is a dual purpose naval gun of French origin. It was developed in the early 1950's to replace both 127mm and 57mm guns in French service. Over time the design was improved and updated.

Design

The Creusot-Loire employs a single 100mm L/55 barrel connected to an automatic loader. The 100mm caliber was selected since the French navy deemed it adequate for shore bombardment while it is light enough for a high rate of fire against aircraft.

Firepower

The Creusot-Loire naval gun was deemed an effective gun, both against surface and aerial targets. The rate of fire is 60 or 78 rpm, depending on the type of mount. The 100mm range of shells includes high explosive, anti-aircraft and illumination rounds. Maximum range is just over 17 km. Practical range against surface targets is 12 km. Maximum anti-aircraft range is 8 km and the anti-aircraft ceiling is 6 km.

Users

The Creusot-Loire was fitted to a wide range of ships and over 200 gun mounts were produced. The main user was the French navy.

Known as Modèle 1953 for its design date. Early models can be identified by having two local control mounts. One on either side of the gun. The first round is loaded manually. The gun's recoil powers the automated loading system.

These early models were directed by off-mount non-digital fire control systems. Alternatively local control was employed. The left housing features controls for use against surface targets. The right housing is for anti-aircraft use, but its practical use is dubious and it was omitted from later designs.

The Modèle 1968 is an improved 100mm Creusot-Loire naval gun. The weight is reduced while at the same time the ability for digital fire control is added.

In order to reduce weight the local anti-aircraft fire control is removed. Therefore the Modèle 1968 turret is identified by having only a single cupola on the left side of the gun.

In the mid 1980's and upgrade package called CADAM became available, increasing the cyclic rate of fire from 60 to 78 rpm. CADAM is an abbreviation of "cadance améliorée", which is French for "increased rate of fire".

The Modèle 100 TR is an upgrade package for existing Modèle 1968 mounts applied in the 1990's. The name 100 TR is a combination of the 100mm caliber and "Technologie Rénovée", which is French for "renovated technology.

The improvements are aimed at improved reliabily, improved fire control and reduced radar signature. CADAM upgrade is fitted if not yet present. The ammunition system is improved with technology developed for the 100mm Compact Mk 2. The ready magazine is larger and has the ability to quickly select ammunition type. The hoist is faster and has the ability to reverse feed when selecting different type of ammunition.

The 100 TR is easily identified by is more angular turret housing without cupolas for local fire control.