18 ADJ July/August 2008

NAVALFORCES

The last-ditch defence against the anti-shipmissile is the close-in weapon system (CIWS),which takes the form of ultra-short range light-calibre guns by putting a “wall of lead” in thepath of the oncoming missile. This is after themissiles have “leaked” through the layers ofhardkill and softkill defences. Systems like theAmerican Phalanx, the Dutch Goalkeeper or thenew German Millennium Gun can be operatedautomatically and will wait until the missilereaches a predicted point before firing.

Nearly all classes of modern warship areequipped with some kind of CIWS device.Smaller CIWS-like defences are currently beingdeveloped for main battle tanks and lightarmoured vehicles in the USA, Israel, China andRussia (“Drozd” and “Arena” grenade launchersin the case of Russia, TROPHY in the case ofIsrael). In some cases, the CIWS has taken therole as the secondary guns for bigger vesselssuch as frigates and offshore patrol vessels.

The anti-ship missiles are by no means theonly threat but they are perhaps the mostperilous to surface units. Today, surface combatis most likely to occur in near shore, littoralenvironments. This situation places ships andtheir crews at risk to an increased number ofthreats from small, fast gun boats, standard andguided artillery, helicopters, mines and a varietyof shore launched anti-ship missiles.

This ever-increasing threat has increased thedemand for new-generation close-in weaponsystems to be fitted to new surface combatantsthat are entering service with navies of the Asia-Pacific region. In recent years, a number of CIWShave been developed or improved. Thefollowing are the more notable of the systemsbeing offered for today’s naval forces.

Rheinmetall Millennium Gun and MLG27Its high rate of fire makes the MillenniumGDM008 Naval Gun System the perfect matchfor Rheinmetal l ’s 35mm Ahead airburstammunition, which stands for “Advanced HitEfficiency and Destruction”. Fired at 1,000rounds per minute, the Millennium gun deliversa payload mass of 500kg per minute: everyAhead round dispenses 152 x tungsten alloysub-projectiles, weighing 3.3 grams each. Thesub-projectiles form a lethal cone-shaped cloudahead of the oncoming target, destroying itscontrol surfaces, seeker and other vitalcomponents. The Mil lennium gun is anunmanned, remotely controlled gun mount,compatible with both state-of-the-art sensor andfire control systems. It can be mounted withoutpenetrating the deck, and is especially wellsuited to smaller surface combatants and patrolvessels.

CIWS: The Last-ditch Defenceby Kelvin Fong

Based on the hit probability, Millennium candefeat anti-ship missiles at ranges three tofour times greater than those achieved byconventional CIWS. The stealth-design gunmount carries 252 rounds of 35mm ammunitionin a magazine inside the cupola. This allows itto engage ten anti-ship missiles or 20 surfacetargets without reloading. The gun can alsofire conventional Oerlikon Contraves 35mmammunition (e.g. HEI, SAPHEI and TPT). As anoption, the unique “ISO mount installation” (TheISO mount installation facilitates ammunitionstowage and “cross decking” for warshipmission module flexibility) can accommodateall the equipment usually installed below deck.This makes the gun fully independent of theship’s compartments, and assures fast, easyinstallation and interchangeability betweenplatforms. The Millennium Ahead 35mm gunmount is currently the subject of a US Navyfunded programme at NSWCDD, Dahlgren toqualify it for use on the US Navy warships.The Millennium entered into service in 2007with the Royal Danish Navy on their FlexibleSupport Ship, HMDS Absalon. The HMDSAbsalon is equipped with two Millennium guns,one forward and one aft. The Royal DanishNavy is the launch customer for ser iesproduction of the Oerlikon Millennium naval gunsystem, having ordered six guns in 2004 withan option for a further four. Production forother customers is also underway. Absalon-c lass f inal SAT for the Mi l lennium gunscommenced in April 2008 on the Danish shipEsben Snare.

Another latest offering by Rheinmetall is theremote controlled MLG27 light naval gunsystem which is designed for protecting ofsmall surface combatants and other small craft;it can also serve as secondary armament onlarger units. Based on the high rate of fire, the

BK27 revolver cannon enables effectiveengagement of f ixed wing aircraft andhelicopters, speedboats and point targets onland. The system is particularly suitable fordefending against terrorist attacks involvinghigh-speed craft. The MLG27 features anintegrated EO sensor package with TV camera,thermal imager, laser range finder, tilt sensor,stabilised mirror system and video trackingsystem for automatic and manual targettracking. It can be easily integrated into orinterfaced with existing ship systems includingdifferent types of sensors and controlfunctions. The MLG27 design allows integrationin all kinds of vessels without the need fordeck penetration. The 27mm FAPDS (FrangibleArmour Piercing Discarding Sabot) ammunitionwas designed specifically for the MLG27. TheFAPDS round achieves a similar targetpenetration as a subcalibre kinetic energyround with fragmentation-based incendiaryeffects comparable to high explosiveammunition. It is currently in service with manyof the world’s air forces and navies.

Raytheon PhalanxThe most widely deployed CIWS today is theMk 15 Phalanx CIWS which is described asan integrated, self-contained unit consistingof a gun system, ammunit ion and radarmounted in a single cylindrical elevatingplatform. The system was developed in the1970s by General Dynamics PomonaDivision—purchased by Hughes Missi leSystems Company in 1992 and now a part ofRaytheon Systems Company (RSC).Described as being affordable, the systemcan fit virtually any ship without major shipalteration, the Phalanx is currently installedon all US combatant ships and on those ofmore than 20 other nations.

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inm

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ADJ July/August 2008 19

The Phalanx is armed with a fast-reactionGeneral Electric M61A1 Vulcan six-barrelledGatling-type gun that has a high rate of fire at3,000 rounds per minute—or 4,500 rounds-per-minute for later models—and Ku-bandradar featur ing closed-loop spott ingtechnology capable of autonomouslyperforming its own search, detect, evaluation,track, engage and kill assessment functions.Ammunition consists of 20mm Armour PiercingDiscarding Sabot (APDS) using heavy-metal(either tungsten or depleted uranium) 15mmpenetrator surrounded by a plastic sabot anda lightweight metal pusher.

The initial Phalanx configuration for US Navyships is the Block 0 that provides basic anti-ship missile defence against today’s low-altitude, subsonic, non-manoeuvring anti-shipmissiles (ASM). The Block 1A incorporated anew computer to provide more processingpower over the obsolete earlier computer,improved fire control algorithms to countermanoeuvring targets, search multiple weaponscoordination to better manage engagements,and an end-to-end testing function to betterdetermine system functionality. The Block 1BSurface Mode Upgrade builds on the existingcapabilities of Block 1A with the addition ofnew “Optimised Gun Barrels” (OGB) whichprovide improved barrel life, improved rounddispersion pattern and increased engagementranges. Both Block 1A and 1B upgrades alsoprovide increased elevation coverage, largermagazine space for increased magazinecapacity from 989 rounds to 1,550 rounds,and increased the firing rate to 4,500 roundsper minute. The Phalanx can also be interfacedwith virtually any ship combat system toprovide additional sensor and fire-controlcapability, and can provide target designationfor other shipboard weapons such asRaytheon’s Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).

In April 2006, Raytheon Company wasawarded a $57 million contract to produce 16Phalanx Block 1B upgrade kits for the UnitedKingdom’s Royal Navy. Today, more than 895Phalanx systems have been built and deployedin the navies of 22 nations.

Raytheon’s Phalanx and RAM MarriageEvolved from the CIWS compris ing keyattributes of both the Phalanx CIWS and theRolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided WeaponSystem, Raytheon’s SEA RAM Missile DefenceSystem provides a high level of ship self-protection with extended keep-out rangecapability and the ability to engage multipletargets. The SEA RAM is designed to extendthe inner layer battlespace and enable the shipto effectively engage future high-performance,supersonic, and subsonic threats. Leveragedtechnology from Phalanx CIWS and RAMintegrates elements of each system into theself-contained SEA RAM system. An 11-missileround RAM launcher assembly, loaded withRAM Block 1 guided missi les, replacesPhalanx’s 20mm gun.

Combining the RAM’s high accuracy,extended range, and high manoeuvrability withthe Phalanx Block 1B’s high resolution search-and-track sensor systems, the SEA RAMsystem therefore wil l be a complete andautonomous weapon system with its ownsensor suite, combat system and weapon. Andbased on the Phalanx Block 1B system, theSEA RAM will include the latest version Ku-Band search and track radar, a new forwardlooking infrared (FLIR) imaging system and anelectronic survei l lance measure (ESM)

minute in one integrated mounting. The systemfeatures automatic target indication and trackini t iat ion. Threat pr ior i ty is determinedautomatically and is directly fol lowed bydirection of the track antenna to the “priorityone” target. The Goalkeeper can be integratedwith the ship’s IRST system to provide apassive mode, while radar data is used tocomplete the engagement, and as a secondsource of tracking data that can reduce therisk of false targets.

In 2004, the Republic of Korea Navy signedcontracts for the delivery of five Goalkeepersystems worth about EUR51 million. The firstsystem was del ivered in 2005. TwoGoalkeepers was insta l led on the LPX(Landing Platform) Dokdo that was launchedin March 2005 and in operation in June 2007.The other three Goalkeepers are destined forthe three KDX-II Batch 2 destroyers. ThreeGoalkeepers were also installed onboard theROKN KDX III Destroyers. The delivery tookplace between end 2006 and early 2008. TheKDX III wil l be equipped with the AEGISCombat System. This is the first time that aGoalkeeper will be installed on an AEGISdestroyer. The Goalkeeper will be integratedin the AEGIS Combat System as anautonomous CIWS.

For the initial CIWS procurement for the KDXProgramme in the early 1990s, the ROKNevaluated Goalkeeper with its 30mm GatlingGun versus alternative CIWS based on 20mmGatl ing Guns and or modular CIWSconfigurations. Goalkeeper fully complied withthe ROKN requirement for CIWS and afterintensive compet i t ion was selected for

Phalanx

receiver.

ThalesGoalkeeperThe 30mmGoalkeeper CIWSdeveloped by ThalesNederland—formerlySignaal—is anautonomous and fullyintegrated weaponsystem for short-range defencesystems againstmissiles and aircraft.The system cana u t o m a t i c a l l y

installation on the KDX Destroyer Programme.Taking into account the medium to long rangecapabilities of the S-Band AEGIS CombatSystem, the Goalkeeper was a good matchfor the KDX III last-ditch defence. In the past,Thales-NL concluded contracts for 16Goalkeeper systems for installation onboardKDX I, KDX II Destroyers and the LPX. NineGoalkeeper systems are already ful lyoperational onboard KDX Destroyers to the fullsatisfaction of the ROK Navy.

perform the entire process from surveillanceand detect ion to destruct ion, includingselection of the next priority target. When thetarget is detected, threat evaluation and priorityare determined, the target is designated andtracked by the I- and K-band radars.

The Goalkeeper combines a search radar(high power, I-band), a tracking radar (I/K-band), a weapon control system and GeneralElectric GAU-8/A 30mm seven-barrelled gunwith a high rate of fire at 4,200 rounds per

Goalkeeper

Tha

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20 ADJ July/August 2008

NAVALFORCES

Model

Country

Type

Calibre

Rate of Fire

EngagementRange

Ammunitions

Type 730

PR China

Gatling

30mm x 7

4,600~5,800rds/min

3 k m

Armour piercingdiscarding sabotsand HE

Tulamashzavod AK-630

Russia

AO-18 Gatling

30mm x 6

5,000rds/min

4 k m

Fixed (HE-FRAG, FRAG)

Thales Goalkeeper

The Netherlands

GAU-8/A Gatling

30mm x 7

4,200rds/min

1.5-2km

HEI, API, TP, MPDS,FMPDS

Raytheon Phalanx Block 1B

USA

M61A1 Gatling

20mm x 6

Dual fire rate, 3,000 or4,500rds/min

3 k m

Armour piercing tungstenpenetrator rounds withdiscarding sabots

Rheinmetall GDM008

Germany

Single Barrelled

35mm

single-shot, rapid burstup to 1,000rds/min

3.5-5km

Ahead airburst inc. HEI,SAPHEI and TPT

HOW THEY SHOOT OUT

Russian CIWSThe current Russian gun-based CIWS isTulamashzavod’s AK-630M six-barrelled gun,whose AO-18 cannons can fire 5,000 roundsper minute with a muzzle velocity of 900m/sto shoot down incoming missiles out to 5km.The CIWS is fed from a 2,000 round capacitymagazine, with additional 1,000 rounds in thereserve feed bin. Fire control guidance comesfrom the MR-123 Turel tracking radar. The gunfires HE-FRAG incendiaries or fragmentationtracer projectiles.

The effective range is up to 4,000 metresfor sea-skimming anti-ship missiles and 5,000metres for light surface targets. Systems arecurrently operational on the Indian Navy’sDelhi-c lass, Khukr i-c lass, Kora -c lass,Godavari-c lass, Tarantul-1 -c lass andBrahmaputra-class; People’s Republic ofChina’s two Project 956E destroyers; andVietnam’s Tarantul-I missile-corvettes.

Russia is also offer ing the CADS-N-1Kashtan Air Defence hybrid Gun/Missi leSystem, first seen in 1988. The Kashtanprovides sel f -defence for surface shipsagainst fixed and rotary wing aircraft, highprecision weapons including anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, as well as to engage small seaand coastal targets.

The modular system is developed as amodular structure comprising of a commandmodule and combat modules—from one to six,depending on vessel displacement. Thecommand module provides autonomousoperation by detecting the threats, distributingthe threat data, designating the targets to thecombat modules and ensur ing IFFprocedures. The combat module automaticallytracks the target with radar and television,calculates firing data and engages the targetwith missiles and guns. The combat modulecomprises a combined gun/missile mount, aradar and optical control system which has arange of 4.4NM; a computing system, and apower supply system. The integrated multi-channel control system provides simultaneousmulti-target tracking in the radar and TV-opticalmodes.

The firing turret mounts two blocks of liquid-cooled, gas-operated 30mm GSh-30k six-barrel automatic guns with a link-less feedingsystem and autonomous evaporation-typecooling system (with 1,000 rounds capacity).Launchers for 57E6 SAM missiles are fitted tothe Kashtan. The system also includes astoring and reloading system to keep 32 SAMsin container-launchers in the ship’s under-deck spaces. Smaller naval vessels are fitted

Chinese Type 730The Type 730 is an indigenous CIWS designedto provide surface combatants with terminaldefences against incoming anti-ship missilesthat have penetrated other fleet defences, aswell as being used against other airbornetargets such as aircraft.

The Type 730 consists of a seven-barrel30mm cannon, gun control and ammunitionfeeding mechanism, and fire-control system.A surface combatant should be equipped withtwo of such system to provide a full 3600

coverage. The fully automatic seven-barrel30mm cannon is fed by two ammunition boxeseach holding 500 rounds of ready-useammunition. One magazine would typically holdarmour piercing discarding sabot and the otherhigh explosives. The cannon is driven byexternal power, with a maximum cyclic rate offire of 4,600~5,800 rounds/min. The cannonhas a maximum range of 3,000m, but targetsare typical ly engaged at a distance of1,000~1,500m. The fire-control includes aTR47C fire-control radar and an electro-opticdirector, both of which are mounted on theturret roof. The electro-optic director consistsof a TV tracking camera, infrared trackingcamera and laser rangefinder, which providea maximum tracking range of 5~6km. TheTR47C radar has a maximum detection rangeof 8km against an airborne target of RCS 0.1square metre.

The Type 730 CIWS is installed on the Type052B Luyang-class DDG, Type 052C Luyang-II-class DDG, Type 051C Luzhou-class DDG,and Type 054A Jiangkai-II-class FFG. A land-based air defence system known as LD-2000has been developed based on the Type 730.The Type 730 development reportedlycommenced in the early 1990s. The systembears some resemblance to the ThalesNederland Goalkeeper. The Type 730 hasreplaced the Type 76A dual-37mm automaticAAA guns to become a standard air defenceweapon on some PRC-bui l t surfacecombatants, while other combatants are fittedwith the Russian-built AK-630 CIWS.

with a single Kashtan system; the combinedmissile and gun firepower can reliablyengage an incoming formation of three orfour missiles. On larger vessels, a mountcan be fitted on either side of the ship. Asingle command module can control up tosix Kashtan mountings, providing enoughfirepower for the largest naval vessels. TheKashtan is supplied by the Instrument DesignBureau and Tulamashzavod JSC in Tula.Modular design makes the Kashtan CIWSadaptable to various types of ships frommissile boats (of more than 500 tonnesdisplacement) to aircraft carriers. TheIndian Navy’s three Project 1135.6 ImprovedKrivak I I I-class fr igates were the f i rstwarships in the Asia-Pacific to be equippedwith the Kashtan CIWS.

AK-630M