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Originally Posted by Gun Grape
I think the newest version holds around 1500 rounds. They are still limited to around 50 rounds per burst.
Its the R2D2 from the Mk 15 CIWS, they sub the gun for an 11 round missile pack.
Stand alone RAM has a 21 tube launcher.
I remember being on float when they replaced the 5/38". a GM telling me that CIWS stood for Christ It Won't Shoot.
Block 1 RAM was suppose to address the problems that you mentioned.
The idea behind SeaRam was to replace half of the CIWS on a ship. More reaction time. That way Rams can engage further out and CIWS can handle the leakers. Call it a middle distance in the layered defence. ESSM/RAM/CIWS
RAM reload isn't fast. I'll bet CIWS has a faster reload time.
RAM reloading
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All excellent and very accurate points. Always loved the "Christ It Won't Shoot" translation of CIWS.
The pics you show of the 21 tube launcher is the exact same gizmo General Dynamics demonstrated for us. Not exactly a small item to add to a ship.
Allow me to detail the sack and potato problem with the FFGs. They were originally designed to be about a 2,600 to 2,800 tonne ship. But as more and more heavy electronics, weapons, etc. were added topside, a fuel tank had to be taken over and converted into a ballast tank loaded with pigs of lead.
Strain on the hull was also setting in with the weight additions so the thirty one hundred ton Shipalt (that included the lead ballast) also added reinforcing straps to the hull at deck level, at bilge strake and just outboard of the flat keel. Also reinforcing of the aluminum superstructure had to be done because the ships were designed without an expansion joint and the Duncan had almost a 2-piece deckhouse on her maiden voyage from Seattle to Long Beach.
With the ships now weighing in around 3,100 tonnes, they settled deeper in the water and all the overboard discharges (sewage lines from the heads, galley, etc.) had to be moved up another foot in the sides of the ship. Any further up and they would not have a down slope. And you know that (proverbial) does NOT run uphill.
Some of the ships were also provided with a Stealth shipalt which, though relatively light in weight per square foot, still had to be considered in the weight and moment calculations. The ship stability was so critical that we had to abandon the thought of adding applique fragmentation armor to their critical spaces as we did on some of the Spruance class Destroyers.
Ah. Those were the days. No wonder I turned gray so early.