Glosters UK

I want to know how effective these defencive measures are? They look pretty effective in videos.. are they the primary defence against such threats?

Dreadnought

On the Iowa class Phalanx is the last stop in ships protection. It is used just incase any missle were to get past her escorts capability. The ones installed on the Iowas would fire up to 3,000 rounds per minute of depleted uranium, since then Tungsten was used for penetration. Now days the USN has Phalanx that can fire up to 4,500-5,000 rounds per minute. They are normally a last measure of defense along with SRBOC systems.

During the 1960's The USA was not the only country trying to construct such an installation at that time. Other countries were the Netherlands ("Goalkeeper"), the Soviet Union ("AK 230") and Spain ("Meroka"). The US Navy finally decided to take the Mk-15 Phalanx.

As far as effectivness outside the video's on Utube one would have to consult when and if one was used in its true role to gage its effectivness as a last resort of defense.

I understand that Goalkeeper is quite an effective form of this weapon.

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RustyBattleship

For anti-missile defense, .43 caliber Depleted Uranium penetrators (actually coated with Uranium Oxide) are used in a 20 mm plastic sabot with an aluminum pusher slug in the CIWS Vulcan/Phalanx. The Uranium Oxide is pyrophoric meaning it will ignite as an incendiary when it penetrates the warhead casing.

While on gunnery trial aboard the New Jersey, we practiced firing at a towed target with both the 5"/38's and the "Gatlings". The target was on a 25,000 foot long wire to ensure the tow plane was well past the ship and the targeting RADAR/Computers would consider it a non-threat. The CIWS is programmed NOT to open fire until an incoming is 1,850 meters (2,000 yards or one sea mile) away.

It was an overcast day and even with my old eyes I could see the straight line of the tow wire cutting under the cloud cover. Then CIWS number 21 (fwd/stbd gun) was scheduled to take the first try.

I was standing on 05 level with a rep from General Dynamics (who built the guns) and the ship's gunnery officer. Techs that were supposed to be inside the control room after flipping the "weapons release" switch were standing outside on the ladder to watch the show.

Thank goodness I had turned off my hearing aids and was wearing my foam lined cup ear protectors.

That "R2D2 with and Attitude" let out a roar, swinging on up. It totally shredded the tow target but kept on firing. Next thing we knew we were dodging pieces of the wire falling on and around the ship.

The techs scrambled back into the control room to hit the "Off" switch as the CIWS also took out 2500 feet of tow wire.

That pilot wasn't too happy about that.

Though everybody had to admit that the CIWS was a pretty good sharpshooter. The General Dynamics rep was dancing around the deck and yelling, "You fly them. Wel'l fry them."

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Dreadnought

Mr. L,
Offhand would you know of any sources outside of testing that could reinforce these results. I am not questioning them. What I am saying is that I dont know (me personally) of them firing outside of drills and actually engaging a target in a regular combat scenario. Although nothing is "regular" about any kind of combat. Any suggestions?

tphuang

you can search up some of the results of goalkeeper, they are quite impressive even against concurrent strike travelling at supersonic speed

RustyBattleship

The only other source I personally know of in real combat was when the Missouri was in the Gulf War. Iraq launched two missiles (Chinese "Silkworm" copies of Russian "Styx")apparently at the Missouri. But chaff and other ships kept wavering their course. When they finally got on course for Missouri (remote control perhaps?) a British cruiser took them out with a couple of anti-missile missiles (say THAT fast five times). They were just approaching the 2,000 yard firing zone when the first missile got knocked out and the second one ran into the debris sending it down too.

It pissed GMC Miller off to no end. His Gatlings were on target, tracking and just waiting for the computer to say "open fire". Damn Brits always have to have the last word. But they have good defensive missiles.

Chief Miller was a 1st Class gunner's mate aboard Iowa before transfering to Missouri as a Chief. Some people thought he was a cranky giant but I knew his uncle personnally and you really couldn't tell them apart. They paid VERY close attention to detail, ESPECIALLY when it came to safety procedures.

Oh, they were both gun nuts also. "Tiny" (6'-6") Miller, the uncle, had 118 guns in his collection before he retired from LBNSY. He then moved to Oregon where he could buy more guns without California hassels.

Dreadnought

I wouldnt imagine a chief on board any of the Iowas any different. Irregardless of how tall they are they are always big men.

gunnut

I read about that engagement. A T42 destroyer shot down the Silkworm with a Seadart. It was waaaaay beyond the engagement envelope of that ancient missile. But it worked and the Brits got the last laugh.

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Garry

the more recent AK 630 has RPM of 4000 shots and can shoot up to 1000 rounds at once. Here are some pictures from Ýíöèêëîïåäèÿ êîðàáëåé /Ñèñòåìû ÏÂÎ /AK-630

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Garry

one more pic of AK-630

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Shipwreck

The Type 42 destroyer was HMS Gloucester (D96).

She actually fired two Sea Dart missiles at the second Silkworm.

The second Silkworm was most definitely engaged within the Sea Dart's enveloppe.

The second Silkworm was also engaged and fired upon by the USS Missouri's 5-inch guns.

During the incident, USS Missouri (BB-63) received four or five 20mm rounds from USS Jarrett (FFG-33) when the Jarrett's Phalanx CIWS fired at a chaff launched by the battleship.

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glyn

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Garry

that is really interesting...

gunnut

How effective was that? How effective would it be if a modern 5" mount engaged the Silkworm instead of the old twin mount?

Stan187

I imagine that the effectiveness would be directly dependent on the targeting and tracking system.

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