 The original design of the Lexington class called for ten 14 " / 50 caliber guns of either the Mark 4 , 5 , or 6 variety to be mounted in four turrets ( two triple superfiring over two double turrets ) for the main armament . Designed in 1916 and put into service by 1918 , these guns were installed on the <unk> and New Mexico @-@ class battleships . The guns were capable of firing a 1 @,@ 400 pounds ( 640 kg ) armor @-@ piercing ( AP ) projectile at a muzzle velocity of 2 @,@ 800 fps ( 853 mps ) to a range of 24 @,@ 000 yards ( 22 km ) at a maximum angle of 15 degrees . 
