FFG-7 weapons questions

**webeaulieu** · 09 Jul 07,, 22:22

I've noticed recently the MK13 missile launchers on the FFG-7 class have been replaced with a small gun. Looks to be in the 20-30mm range and has a very odd looking square gunhouse shield. Does anyone have information on these guns?

**TopHatter** · 09 Jul 07,, 23:48

Originally Posted by webeaulieu

I've noticed recently the MK13 missile launchers on the FFG-7 class have been replaced with a small gun. Looks to be in the 20-30mm range and has a very odd looking square gunhouse shield. Does anyone have information on these guns?

Do you have a picture of that gun? The only thing that I'm aware of is the Mk 13 launchers being removed.

**rickusn** · 09 Jul 07,, 23:57

U.S. Navy Completes Initial Testing Of Lockheed Martin Naval Gun - gizmag Image Gallery

Does it look like this?

If so I hadnt heard of any aboard the FFGs.

Could be you have seen a photoshopped pic?

**gunnut** · 10 Jul 07,, 01:33

This is kinda like my very first post on this board.

I was surprised the Mk. 13 launchers were removed from the Perrys.

**kato** · 10 Jul 07,, 01:44

Originally Posted by rickusn

Does it look like this?

If it was that, it's photoshopped. Rheinmetall hasn't touted any sales of the GDM-008 Millenium Gun to the USN recently. The only one installed in the US was on the LM-run trials boat Sea SLICE, and the only commercial sales so far was to Denmark (for the naval CIWS system) and Germany (for the land CIWS system).

**webeaulieu** · 10 Jul 07,, 01:58

Originally Posted by rickusn

U.S. Navy Completes Initial Testing Of Lockheed Martin Naval Gun - gizmag Image Gallery

Does it look like this?

If so I hadnt heard of any aboard the FFGs.

Could be you have seen a photoshopped pic?

No, that's not it. It's very crude looking actually, just a perfectly rectangular box with a gun sticking out of it. There were even tie-down straps on the corners.

It definately wasn't photoshopped, I saw it firsthand on the Norfolk based ships.

**gunnut** · 10 Jul 07,, 02:08

Did you catch the hull number?

It could be a ship relegated for testing purposes.

**JA Boomer** · 10 Jul 07,, 06:21

USS Elrod FFG-55

Almost looks like bushmaster or something of similar caliber.

**gunnut** · 10 Jul 07,, 07:01

Wow, look at that rust and the sparse crew. She's probably a test vehicle now.

That box over the gun is probably to hide the gun mount itself. No one can fit something that ugly onto a ship. Plus it's tied down with rope.

Frigate Photo Index FFG-55 USS ELROD

According to Navsource, she's still active.

**Tasman** · 10 Jul 07,, 08:12

According to the caption on a photo of USS Elrod that appeared in the Defence Talk Forum the gun is a fake, installed by the crew for some fun.

FFG-55 with a "scarecrow" gun where the SM-1 launcher was. - Military Pictures - Air Force Army Navy Missiles

The person who posted this is a very knowledgeable member of DT re matters relating to the USN.

Cheers

**rickusn** · 10 Jul 07,, 21:46

Thanks Tasman that makes more sense.

But the Elrod sure looks in pretty sad shape.

Maybe she just came off a 6-month deployment.

Ill try and look up some recent info on her.

**rickusn** · 10 Jul 07,, 22:04

Elrod returned from deployment last November.

I quess it shows how much money the USN is saving by keeping this class in a marginal state of repair.

Dunno if the fake gun was really a joke.

Officially maybe.

Unofficially Ill bet there is more to this story.

**Shamus** · 10 Jul 07,, 22:11

Originally Posted by rickusn

Elrod returned from deployment last November.

I quess it shows how much money the USN is saving by keeping this class in a marginal state of repair.

Dunno if the fake gun was really a joke.

Officially maybe.

Unofficially Ill bet there is more to this story.

Maybe a little smack towards the bean counters,Rick?

**Master Chief** · 10 Jul 07,, 22:44

They should have put a RAM missile system there. That at least gave the ship a small limited air-defence system.

**Tasman** · 10 Jul 07,, 23:01

Originally Posted by Shameless

Maybe a little smack towards the bean counters,Rick?

The USN FFG-07 class certainly look to be poorly armed these days compared with their Australian sisters. The RAN upgrade includes improved fire control, SM-2 in place of SM-1 (still fired using the Mk13 launcher) and an 8 cell Mk41 VLS for 32 ESSMs. They are also fitted with 4 quad launchers for the Nulka active missile decoys and Mini Typhoon for dealing with close in surface threats.

However, the upgrade program has proven expensive at around $US850m for four ships which are due to be replaced within ten years.

Cheers