Similar to the Phalanx systems:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsf38NYzo5Q
Similar to the Phalanx systems:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsf38NYzo5Q
The Phalanx CIWS is based on the successful General Electric M-61 that I worked with 50 years ago...The design was already 20 years old then...Although the 20X102 MM shell size is standardized for modern US weapon systems, 20 MM auto cannon in other configurations existed in the late teens...The Swiss Oerlikon 20 MM, four of which were mounted on my Uncle's WWII ride APc-48, were in turn developed from the German 20 MM autocannon of WWI...Not exactly a new concept, but why change what already works well...The secret proximity-fused AA shells for these guns came relatively late in the war...The shells my Uncle used on his ship were preset by the gunner's mate for a particular altitude before loading......Ben
The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...
Judging by the spread of hits in the water, that thing is ridiculously inaccurate. It would almost seem lucky from what I saw for it to hit a plane or missile even with the rate of fire before the ship was toast.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
The Phalanx is targeting a moving boat (speed unknown) from a moving ship (let's say 20-25 knots) in a moving sea which generates wave action against the hull...The ship is likely also zig-zagging to avoid being targeted itself, not only by the incoming attack boat, but by possible other threats in the area...Some of these movements can be predicted and counteracted against by the targeting computer in the CIC...A one second burst from the Phalanx puts 100 20 MM projectiles in the area predicted by the computer for the target's position...With those variables, a spread of fire as shown in the video is very likely to produce at least one killing shot against the target, probably more...This is not a one shot/one kill operation......Ben
The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...
Spray a wall of lead and hang on.
I understand the reasoning, but I watch the gun and mount juggling about under the recoil. The thing is inherently grossly inaccurate and that target boat had to be much closer than any approaching airplane or missile which the Phalanx was designed to stop. Looks like a crap weapon to me on a ship.
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“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
Try being on the other end and form an opinion....
"Back after 5 years. I thought you had died.
don"
Splitting my time between the montane and the mesas
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
^^^^^
What Phillbo said...That's mindful of the folks who say a .22 is worthless as a defensive weapon...Try getting shot with one and see how quickly you give up your offensive ways...Curt, I don't have a definitive answer for that...I do know that the distinction between machine gun and auto-cannon began in the 20th Century as those armies which employed such weaponry decided that anything larger than .50 caliber was too cumbersome to be carried and fielded as an individual weapon...It seems to be applied mostly to magazine or belt-fed arms capable of automatic fire...That may be why naval guns of 3", 5" or 16" continued to be called "guns" or "rifles"......Ben
The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...