The 3"/23-caliber cannon was the first purposely designed
anti-aircraft cannon to reach operational service in the US military, and was a further development of a 1-pounder cannon concept designed by
Admiral Twining to meet the possible threat from airships being built by various navies. It entered service in late 1913 on the
Aylwin-class destroyers. A partially retractable version was mounted as a
deck gun on the US
L-class, , , and
O-class submarines. When
World War II began, the 3"/23-caliber gun was outdated, and surviving United States destroyers built during the
World War I era that were armed with the 3"/23-caliber were rearmed with dual-purpose
3"/50-caliber guns. Where there was no air threat during World War II, the 3"/23-caliber gun was employed in the surface-to-surface role for use against submarines, and was mounted on submarine chasers, armed yachts, and various auxiliaries. • s • s •
Dubuque-class gunboats • s • s •
L-class submarines • •
O-class submarines • • s • s • s == Notes ==