Goalkeeper CIWS

Goalkeeper CIWS
Goalkeeper CIWS on a British Invincible class aircraft carrier
Type	Close In Weapons System
Place of origin	Netherlands
Service history
In service	1980–Present
Used by	See Operators
Production history
Designer	Signaal (now Thales Nederland)
Designed	1975
Manufacturer	Thales Navy Netherlands
Produced	1979
Specifications
Weight	6,372 kg with 1,190 rds of ammunition (above deck), 9,902 kg (total).
Height	3.71 m (above deck) 6.2 m (including deck penetration).
Crew	Automated, with human oversight
Caliber	30 mm
Barrels	7
Elevation	+85 to −25 degrees at 80 degree/s
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute)
Muzzle velocity	1,109 m/s (MPDS round)
Effective range	350 to between 1,500 and 2,000 meters dependent on ammunition
Main armament	1 x GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun

Goalkeeper is a Dutch close-in weapon system (CIWS) introduced in 1979 and in use as of 2012, which primarily defends ships against incoming missiles and ballistic shells. This system consists of an autocannon and an advanced radar which in typically six seconds detects incoming fire, determines its trajectory, and aims and fires the gun. The system is fully automatic, needing no human input once activated. The name comes from the defensive position in Association Football and other sports. The system is made by Thales Navy Netherlands. The system can also be deployed to protect airfields.

Development

Development of the system began in 1975 with Signaal (now Thales Nederland) working with General Dynamics, who supplied the GAU-8 gun. A prototype, the EX-83 was first demonstrated to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1979.

Description

Target selection

Goalkeeper has two radar sub-systems, one to find threats and another to track and engage them, which operate together to identify and prioritise targets, and engage the highest priority one.

The 2D I band search radar, which can handle up to 18 targets at once, generates a threat picture which the gun system uses to identify and prioritise threats. The system has identify friend or foe (IFF) functionality to rule out friendly traces. The tracking radar operates in both I band and K band to enable quick acquisition on the threat bearing. Data from both the I band and K band return signals indicate target range and can be used to identify, and respond to the use of, electronic countermeasures (ECM). The dual band system also reduces the effect of clutter, which can mask the target at low altitude. A camera system on the assembly provides a visual fallback for the system operator.

Target hit by Goalkeeper

Target engagement

The GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm Gatling gun, as used by the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, was selected for the system. The 30 mm round has a greater mass than the M61 Vulcan used in the Phalanx CIWS, so that it has greater stopping power despite the similar muzzle velocity and range.

The 30 mm round has a discarding nylon sleeve (sabot) with a 21 mm sub-calibre tungsten penetrator. The nylon sabot provides a seal between penetrator and barrel, and reduces wear.

The tracking radar is capable of monitoring the line of fire and commanding minor adjustments.

Supersonic missiles that are damaged may still have enough momentum to hit the ship—the only way to ensure the protection of the ship is either to detonate the warhead of the missile or obliterate the missile.

The system's reaction time to a Mach 2 sea-skimming missile such as the Russian SS-N-22 Sunburn from automatic detection to kill is reported to be 5.5 seconds with the firing synchronised to start the engagement at a range of 1,500 m and ending with a kill at 300 m.

Comparison with current CIWS

Comparison of some modern CIWS

	AK-630	AK-630M1-2	Phalanx CIWS	Goalkeeper CIWS	DARDO
Weight	9,114 kg (20,090 lb)	11,819 kg (26,060 lb)	6,200 kg (14,000 lb)	9,902 kg (21,830 lb)	5,500 kg (12,000 lb)
Armament	30 mm (1.2 in) 6 barreled GSh-6-30 Gatling Gun	30 mm (1.2 in) 2 * 6 barreled GSh-6-30 Gatling Gun	20 mm (0.79 in) 6 barreled M61 Vulcan Gatling Gun	30 mm (1.2 in) 7 barreled GAU-8 Gatling Gun	40 mm (1.6 in) 2 barreled Bofors 40 mm
Rate of Fire	5,000 rounds per minute	10,000 rounds per minute	4,500 rounds per minute	4,200 rounds per minute	600/900 round per minute
(effective/ flat-trajectory) Range	4,000 m (13,000 ft)	4,000 m (13,000 ft)	3,600 m (11,800 ft)	2,000 m (6,600 ft)	4,000 m (13,000 ft)
Ammunition stowage	2,000 rounds	4,000 rounds	1,550 rounds	1,190 rounds	736 rounds
Muzzle velocity	900 m (3,000 ft) per second	900 m (3,000 ft) per second	1,100 m (3,600 ft) per second	1,109 m (3,638 ft) per second	1,000 m (3,300 ft) per second
Elevation	-12 to +88 degrees	-12 to +88 degrees	-25 to +85 degrees	-25 to +85 degrees	-13 to +85 degrees
Traverse	360 degrees	360 degrees	-150 to +150 degrees	360 degrees	360 degrees

Specifications

• Gun: GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling gun.
• Height: 3.71 m (above deck) 6.2 m (including deck penetration).
• Weight: 6,372 kg with 1,190 rds of ammunition (above deck), 9,902 kg (total).
• Elevation +85° to −25° at 80°/s.
• Muzzle velocity: 1,109 m/s (MPDS round).
• Turret speed 360° in 3.8 seconds
• Rate of fire: 70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute).
• Maximum burst size: 1,000 rounds.
• Ammunition: 1,190 linkless (HEI, API, TP, MPDS, FMPDS) rounds in a below-deck magazine.
• Reload time: 9 minutes (loading is done below deck)
• Weapons range: 350 to between 1,500 and 2,000 meters dependent on ammunition.
• Search radar: I band/linear array. I band is X band. Beamsize 1.5 degrees horizontal, 60 degrees vertical. Rotates at 1 Hz (60 RPM). Range approx. 30 km.
• Engagement radar: I band and K band monopulse cassegrain.
• Optical system: TV
• 100% kill distance: 500 m

Operators

• United Kingdom: Royal Navy
  • HMS Illustrious (R06), HMS Bulwark (L15), HMS Albion (L14)
  • HMS Ark Royal (R07), fitted with Phalanx.
• Chile: Chilean Navy
  • 2 Jacob van Heemskerck-class frigates
• Netherlands: Royal Netherlands Navy
  • The system entered service with all Royal Netherlands Navy's large surface ships from 1980.
• South Korea: Republic of Korea Navy
  • Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers
  • Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers
  • Sejong the Great-class destroyers
  • Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship
• Portugal: Portuguese Navy
  • 2 Karel Doorman-class frigates
• Belgium: Belgian Navy
  • 2 Karel Doorman class frigates
• Qatar: Qatar Armed Forces
  • 4 Vosper Thornycroft Vita-class

External links

• ThalesGroup .pdf
• RN page about the Goalkeeper CIWS.
• General Dynamics fact sheet.
• Naval weapons.com article on the Goalkeeper CIWS.
• Goalkeeper CIWS on Youtube
• Test system for Goalkeeper.