Naval artillery question...

You have to pay that 19 year old a monthly salary, feed him and clothe him, and train a replacement when he decides he wants a civilian job when he/she marries. An auto loader you just buy. That the real rational behind autoloaders. People are getting too expensive in the west...

We studied this equation in the USMC several times in the past four decades. The monetary cost difference was not as large as you might think. The cost of keeping more skilled mechanics around is part of it. Complex equipment requires more well trained specialists to keep it operating. Another factor is simpler hand loaded cannon have a longer useful service life and a smaller up front cost. Over a forty year span far few expensive parts are replaced on the hand loader.

Yet another problem is the 19 year old & his comrades are not actually eliminated. 24/7 operations, local security of the battery, and other necessary labor overhead means the high numbers in the cannon crew cannot be eliminated enmass. Elimination of half the weapon crew leaves the remainder more than a bit too busy & their efficency reduced by exhaustion.

We had a similar experience when computerizing the Fire Direction section. In theory we should have been able to reduce the section of eight or ten men to three or maybe four. Unfortunatly that left no one to stand in while one went to piss, confer with the battery commander, stand to a outpost, maintain the camoflage, eat, sleep, whatever...
 
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