Naval Systems

100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun

Also known as
  • 100 mm/55 Model 1968
  • 100 mm Model 1968 CADAM
  • 100 mm CADAM
  • 100 mm modèle 68
  • 100mm Modèle 1968
  • 100mm Modèle 1968 CADAM
  • 100mm Creusot-Loire
  • 100 mm Mle 68 TR
  • 100mm Mle 68 TR
  • Canon de 100 mm modèle 68
  • 100 mm/55 Model 1968-II
  • 100 mm Model 1968-II
  • 100 mm Model 100 TR
  • 100 mm/55 Model 100 TR
  • 100 mm Modèle 100 TR
  • 100mm Modèle 100 TR

The 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun is a French dual-purpose mount from the Creusot-Loire 100 mm family. The Model 1968 introduced a lighter, fully automatic 55-caliber turret with digital fire-control input, the CADAM refit raised the rate of fire to 78 rounds per minute, and the later Model 1968-II/100 TR version equipped La Fayette-class frigates with a lower-signature gunhouse.

100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun, 100 mm naval gun mount, Naval Systems
Image source: French 100 mm naval gun-b.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Role in Conflicts

2011 First Libyan Civil War
Fire Support

During Operation Harmattan, the French frigate Courbet fired its 100 mm Mle 68 TR / Model 1968-II gun against a Gaddafi-force rocket-launcher battery near Misrata; Army Recognition also reported the Courbet opening fire with its 100 mm gun on May 7-8 and a similar Montcalm action off Brega on May 2.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
France
Type
100 mm naval gun mount
Service note
Cold War to present
Designed
1968

Specifications

Caliber
100 mm
Barrel length
55 calibers
Rate of fire
78 rounds per minute (CADAM)
Projectile weight
13.5 kg
Maximum range
17.26 km
Effective surface range
12 km
Anti-aircraft ceiling
6 km
Muzzle velocity
855-867 m/s
Complete round weight
23.5 kg
Barrel life
About 3,000 rounds at high rates of fire or 6,000 rounds at lower rates
Mount weight
21-22 metric tons depending on model/source
Crew
Model 1968 retained optional local control with two loaders below deck; Model 100 TR removed on-mount crew
Ready-service magazine
35 rounds on Model 1968/CADAM; 60 rounds on Model 100 TR
Ammunition stowage
About 600 rounds per gun
Elevation rate
25 degrees per second on Model 1968; 29 degrees per second on CADAM and Model 1968-II
Elevation
-5 to +80 degrees
Traverse
-150 to +150 degrees
Mount And Control Features

The Model 1968 family is best understood as a shipboard automatic turret rather than a single fixed fit. NavWeaps and Weaponsystems.net both separate the baseline Model 1968, the CADAM higher-rate refit, and the Model 1968-II or 100 TR modernization.

Recognition cue

Model 1968 mounts have a single local-control cupola, unlike earlier 100 mm/55 mounts with two cupolas; the Model 1968-II/100 TR gunhouse is more angular and omits local-control cupolas.

Fire-control path

The Model 1968 introduced digital external fire-control input, while the 100 TR package added reliability, ammunition-handling, and reduced-radar-signature improvements.

Ship integration

Floréal-class frigates are documented with a forward 100 mm CADAM turret, while La Fayette-class frigates are associated with the later 100 TR/Model 1968-II fit.

Variants

The Model 1968 branch includes the original lightweight automatic mount, the CADAM improved-rate refit standard, and the later Model 1968-II / Model 100 TR low-observable gunhouse.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Model 1968Baseline automatic mount

NavWeaps lists the basic Model 1968 entering service in 1971 at 60 rounds per minute, while Weaponsystems.net describes it as the lighter digital-fire-control member of the Creusot-Loire family.

Sources: NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM, Weaponsystems 100mm Creusot-Loire

Model 1968 CADAMImproved-rate refit standard

NavWeaps describes CADAM as a late-1980s improved-firing program, and Weaponsystems.net says it raised the Model 1968 cyclic rate from 60 to 78 rounds per minute without obvious external changes.

Sources: NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM, Weaponsystems 100mm Creusot-Loire

Model 1968-II / Model 100 TRModernized low-signature mount

NavWeaps lists the Model 1968-II in service from 1996 on the La Fayette class; Weaponsystems.net expands the 100 TR name as Technologie Rénovée and describes an angular low-signature gunhouse without local-control cupolas.

Sources: NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM, Weaponsystems 100mm Creusot-Loire

Ship Classes Fitted

NavWeaps lists the Model 1968/CADAM family on several French warship classes and identifies the later Model 1968-II fit on La Fayette-class frigates.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Floréal class frigate, Surveillance frigate class, Naval SystemsFloréal class frigateSurveillance frigate class

NavWeaps includes the Floréal class among ships fitted with the 100 mm/55 Model 1968 or CADAM mount, and Seaforces describes the class with a forward 100 mm CADAM turret tied to the Najir fire-control system.

Sources: NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM, Seaforces Floreal Class Frigate

La Fayette class frigate, Multipurpose stealth frigate class, Naval SystemsLa Fayette class frigateMultipurpose stealth frigate class

NavWeaps lists the La Fayette class with the Model 1968-II mount, and Seaforces lists the class armament as one DCN/GIAT 100 TR Compact dual-purpose 100 mm gun.

Sources: NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM, Seaforces La Fayette Class Frigate

D'Estienne d'Orves-class / A69 type aviso, Aviso / light corvette class, Naval SystemsD'Estienne d'Orves-class / A69 type avisoLight corvette and patrol-vessel class

NavWeaps lists the D'Estienne d'Orves class among ships fitted with one Model 1968 or Model 1968 CADAM 100 mm mount; GlobalSecurity identifies the class gun as a DCN 100 mm/55 Mod 68 CADAM.

Sources: NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM, GlobalSecurity Type A-69 D'Estienne D'Orves Frigates

Timeline

100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun Key Events

  1. Model 1968 design

    NavWeaps gives 1968 as the design date for the Model 1968 family.

  2. Basic Model 1968 enters service

    NavWeaps lists the original Model 1968 as entering service in 1971.

  3. CADAM version enters service

    NavWeaps lists Model 1968 CADAM service from 1986, matching the late-1980s higher-rate refit described by Weaponsystems.net.

  4. Model 1968-II enters service

    NavWeaps lists the Model 1968-II in service from 1996 and associates it with the La Fayette class.

Media

100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun Videos

100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun Images

100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun, 100 mm naval gun mount, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: French 100 mm naval gun-b.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun, 100 mm naval gun mount, Naval Systems - view 2
Source: Motte-Picquet-turret.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAM naval gun, 100 mm naval gun mount, Naval Systems - view 3
Source: Canon 100mm-Surcouf-IMG 5916.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
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Sources

NavWeaps 100 mm/55 Model 1968 CADAMPublisher: NavWeaps | Note: Supports the Model 1968, CADAM, and Model 1968-II designations, service dates, ship-class fits, performance figures, and recognition features. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Weaponsystems 100mm Creusot-LoirePublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports French origin, Creusot-Loire manufacturer context, dual-purpose role, Model 1968/CADAM/100 TR distinctions, ammunition-handling notes, and performance data. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Seaforces Floreal Class FrigatePublisher: Seaforces Online | Note: Supports the Floréal-class relationship by identifying the class's forward 100 mm CADAM turret, Najir fire-control system, and 100 mm gun performance figures. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Seaforces La Fayette Class FrigatePublisher: Seaforces Online | Note: Supports the La Fayette-class relationship by listing one DCN/GIAT 100 TR Compact dual-purpose 100 mm gun and a fire-control radar for the 100 mm gun. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Zone Militaire: Courbet fires 100 mm gun off MisrataPublisher: Zone Militaire | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct conflict-use by reporting that Courbet fired its 100 mm gun at a rocket-launcher battery near Misrata and identifying Courbet's weapon as a 100 mm Mle 68 TR. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Army Recognition: NATO warships return fire off LibyaPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct conflict-use by reporting Courbet opening fire with its 100 mm gun against pro-Gaddafi rocket-launcher fire near Misrata and a similar Montcalm action off Brega. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Assemblee nationale PLF 2012 Marine reportPublisher: Assemblée nationale | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct conflict-use by reporting that French naval forces in Operation Harmattan fired more than 3,000 76 mm and 100 mm shells to destroy coastal targets. | Accessed: 2026-07-06GlobalSecurity Type A-69 D'Estienne D'Orves FrigatesPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports D'Estienne d'Orves / Type A69 background and the class armament listing of one DCN 100 mm/55 Mod 68 CADAM automatic dual-purpose gun. | Accessed: 2026-07-06French 100 mm naval gun-b.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary gun image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06French 100 mm naval gun.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a second gun image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Motte-Picquet-turret.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a turret photograph. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Canon 100mm-Surcouf-IMG 5916.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Surcouf 100 mm naval gun photograph. | Accessed: 2026-07-06