Goalkeeper

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Goalkeeper on the Dutch frigate De Zeven Provinciën

Goalkeeper ( English for goalkeeper is) a close-in weapon system (English close-in weapon system , CIWS) for ships, which in the Netherlands is produced by the company Thales Naval Nederland. The system is used by various naval forces and can also be used to protect airfields.

It is a fully automated and autonomous weapon system that is designed to destroy missiles , aircraft and surface vehicles approaching the ship at short range. The system runs through the entire process of airspace surveillance, target acquisition and destruction of the target up to the selection of the next target with the highest priority completely independently, but can also be controlled by the ship's operations center (OPZ).

development

The development of the Goalkeeper CIWS began in 1975 by the Signaal company (now Thales Nederland) in cooperation with General Electric , which provided the GAU-8 goatling cannon. In 1979 the first prototype called "EX-83" was demonstrated by the Dutch Navy and put into service the following year.

In 1990 tests were also carried out by the United States Navy , during which three different missiles were successfully intercepted.

description

Goalkeeper tracks the target using the 2D X-band search radar , which can track up to 18 targets simultaneously. The combat radar is then adjusted to the direction of flight of the target determined by the search radar. The combat radar uses X- and Ka-band, which allows the radar to take over the search radar signals quickly and without its own search process. In addition, the signals from the search radar can be used to compare them and to overcome any interference signals ( EloGM ) ( EloSM ). In addition, the radar is supported by an optical system.

Goalkeeper uses the GAU-8 / A Avenger 30 mm Gatling cannon , which is also used in the Fairchild-Republic A-10 ground attack aircraft . The cannon was chosen because it fires heavier projectiles than the M61 Vulcan (430 g instead of 100 g) with a similar muzzle velocity and range . Projectile weight is an important factor as fragments of the destroyed missile could still have enough force to reach and damage the ship. It is therefore necessary either to hit the missile's warhead or to destroy the missile completely.

The reaction of the system to a sea-skimming missile at a speed of Mach 2 takes 5.5 seconds from automatic target acquisition to destruction, according to the manufacturer. The target is captured at a distance of 1500 m from the ship and destroyed at approximately 300 m.

It is believed that China has developed a system very similar to the goalkeeper called " Type 730 ". Another very similar system is the Phalanx CIWS produced by Raytheon , which is still in use on many ships today.

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Technical specifications

Goalkeeper :
Parameter Data
height    3.71 m above deck, 6.2 m (total)
Weight    6372 kg (cannon with ammunition), 9902 (total)
weapon    30mm Gatling gun GAU-8 / A Avenger / 77
Muzzle velocity    1109 m / s
Rate of fire    70 or 75 rounds per second (4200 rounds / min.)
Firing angle    + 85 ° to −25 ° (adjustable 80 ° / s)
Weft direction    360 ° (adjustable 100 ° / s)
Max. Number of shots / volley    300 rounds
Reload time    9 minutes (reloading takes place below deck)
Range    350 to 1500–2000 meters (depending on the ammunition used)
Interception range    500 m
costs    € 11.7 million

Web links

Commons : Goalkeeper  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ W. Harnack: The destroyer flotilla of the German Navy from 1958 to today. Köhlers Verlagsgesellschaft, 2001, ISBN 3-7822-0816-1 .