Possible new FIAC/CIWS option?

[Ex-Dragoon]

I think an option might be right above us in use by our Air Force and other air forces of the world. What about adapting a CRV-7 rocket pod for the anti FIAC/CIWS role? It would be cheap and as the CRV7 is an unguided rocket it would be just aim at the threat and fill the air with rockets. Thoughts?

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Ex-D,

Why complicate the ammo issues onboard a ship by adding rockets?  I have seen nothing to indicate that the CIWS block 2B, with it's EO package and increased 20 mm mag capacity can't handle what it is being asked to do wrt the FIAC threat.  Or am I missing something vital here?

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

SKT...no you are not missing a thing just musing out loud because I am greedy

Plus I was told by an ancient warrant officer at one time that if I ever had what I considered a good idea to share it and who knows someone else might be able to use it and improve upon it.

 

[Buddha66]

I think that would be a very potent anti FIAC weapon.  It doesn't even need to be aimed all that well.  The sight of a pod of CRV-7's coming anywhere near your general direction would be enough to make even the hardest terrorist bastard stain his pants and reconsider his options.

 

[rman]

CIWS is ineffective against the latest generation of Russian supersonic sea skimming missiles that have also been sold to China and iran.  Unguided rockets like the CRV7 will be even less effective.

 

[tomahawk6]

From Strategypage.
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20070530.aspx
Phalanx Mutates

May 30, 2007: Britain is buying the new American Phalanx variant, to protect its air base in southern Iraq. The C-RAM (counter-rockets, artillery and mortars) version of the Phalanx is designed to protect large bases from mortar and rocket attack. The original Phalanx was a 20mm cannon designed to defend American warships against anti-ship missiles. Phalanx does this by using a radar that immediately starts firing at any incoming missile it detects. The C-RAM system has its software modified to detect smaller objects (like 82mm mortar shells). This came about when it was discovered that the original Phalanx could take out incoming 155mm artillery shells. This capability is what led to C-RAM.

Other modifications include linking Phalanx to the Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar and Q-36 Target Acquisition Radar. When these radars detect incoming fire, C-RAM points toward the incoming objects and prepares to fire at anything that comes within range (about 2,000 meters) of its cannon. C-RAM uses high explosive 20mm shells, that detonate near the target, spraying it with fragments. By the time these fragments reach the ground, they are generally too small to injure anyone. The original Phalanx used 20mm depleted uranium shells, to slice through incoming missiles. Phalanx fires shells at the rate of 75 per second. Another advantage of C-RAM, is that it makes a distinctive noise when firing, warning people nearby that a mortar or rocket attack is underway, giving people an opportunity to duck inside if they are out and about.

The first C-RAM was sent to Iraq last Fall, to protect the Green Zone (the large area in Baghdad turned into an American base). It was found that C-RAM could knock down 70-80 percent of the rockets and mortar shells fired within range of its cannon. It took about a year to develop C-RAM, and another version, using a high-powered laser, instead of the 20mm gun, is in development.

 

[Lumber]

**ZAP** - WE'VE GOT A PULSE! This topic is back to life!

How It Works: The Flying Laser Cannon

http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2008-03/how-it-works-airborne-laser-cannon

How about strapping one of these to a ship as a CIWS? Or Maybe even a longer range weapon for taking out enemy aircraft?

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

**ZAP** - WE'VE GOT A PULSE! This topic is back to life!

How It Works: The Flying Laser Cannon

http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2008-03/how-it-works-airborne-laser-cannon

How about strapping one of these to a ship as a CIWS? Or Maybe even a longer range weapon for taking out enemy aircraft?

Just off the top of my head I would have to ask:
1) What's its rate of fire and how fast can it recharge?
2) How much power is required?
3) If it uses a lot of power, what combat systems would this affect?
4) How sensetive would it be to adverse weather and high sea states?

 

[Lumber]

Just off the top of my head I would have to ask:
1) What's its rate of fire and how fast can it recharge?
2) How much power is required?
3) If it uses a lot of power, what combat systems would this affect?
4) How sensetive would it be to adverse weather and high sea states?

1.)

In a fraction of a second, chlorine gas mixes with hydrogen peroxide. ... A burst of a few seconds’ duration will burn a several-inch-wide hole in whatever it hits. ...the Advanced Tactical Laser moves at the speed of light and can strike several targets in rapid succession

2.)

The Advanced Tactical Laser can place a 10-centimeter-wide beam with the heating power of a blowtorch on distant targets for up to 100 shots...The closed-cycle system captures waste by-products, making it suitable for tactical employment...ut they all rely on the same basic laser capability to generate 100 to 300 kW of optical power ...

It uses chemicles so I don't think the energy requirements are that big.

3.) Ummm....  :-\

4.)

The computer locks onto the object to continually track it. ... There, sensors determine the beam’s quality, while mechanically controlled mirrors compensate for movement of the airplane, vibration and atmospheric conditions. ... Tracking computers help make microscopic adjustments to compensate for both the airplane’s and the target’s movement.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Looks all well in good in theory but I really don't think it would do well in a high sea state.

Its being optically guided aiming at a small sea skimmer might not be as easy as shooting at an MBT.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Yipes!  You want to put tanks of chlorine gas and hydrogen peroxide onboard a ship at sea- like we don't already have enough poisonous or explosive stuff packed into the hull.

How do you keep the optics clean from salt spray?

 

[drunknsubmrnr]

On the plus side, H2O2 and Cl2 aren't as bad as other things we routinely carry.

I wonder if this can be fitted to a non-penetrating mast? We'd finally have "sharks with fricking laser beams".