Can the 30mm MSI cannons now fitted as standard on most UK ships of the line (T45/23/22's etc.) deal with the threat posed by RPG stand-off attacks or other similar low-tech hand held weapons? Are they set-up in a way to allow for the automatic engagement of threats without any human interface (other than switching to the appropriate mode - manual to auto engagement)?
I note from their web-site they offer a missile / gun combination, described below. It would be nice to see a MSI30MM/RAM combination unit fitted as a secondary weapon on frigates / destroyers and as a primary weapon on minesweepers / patrol vessels. One assumes however that once the missile is fired the mount will stop firing its 30mm to prevent it from destroying its own missile during flight!!
GUN/MISSILE ARRAY - SIGMA
There is growing appreciation of the value of a close range gun/missile array for defence in littoral waters. SIGMA from MSI Defence Systems meets the need.
The DS25/30 series mounting can be fitted with close range, surface-to-air missiles; for example the Mistral, and retain the choice of cannon, sights and control modes.
Important features are:
Saving on above deck space & weight with single footprint
Extended engagement range
Cost effective
RPG-7 effective range:
300 meters against moving point targets.
500 meters against stationary point targets.
500 meters is also the maximum range of rocket assisted flight
(which enables a flatter trajectory and more accurate aiming.)
At the maximum range of 920 meters, RPGs self explodes.
The antipersonnel grenades reach over 1100 meters.
RPG-26 and RPG-27: effective range of 200-250 meters for anti-tank, anti-personnel and anti-material missions.
It can be fired at 50 – 2000 (maximum range with ballistic trajectory).
RPG-18 has an effective range of 200 meters,
http://www.defense-update.com/products/r/rpg.htm
http://www.defense-update.com/products/r/rpg-29.htm
30 mm KCB cannons
30 mm/75 GCM Series
30 mm/75 LS-30B and DS30
Range with 0.93 lbs. (0.420 kg) HE Shell
Effective range - anti-surface 10,900 yards (10,000 m)
Effective range - anti-air 3,000 yards (2,750 m)
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_30-75_GCM.htm
US 25 mm/87 (1") Mark 38 Machine Gun System
Range
Effective Range 2,700 yards (2,457 m)
Maximum Range 7,450 yards (6,800 m)
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_25mm_mk38.htm
Swiss Oerlikon 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark 1
Range.
Elevation With 0.271 lbs. (0.123 kg) HE-I Mark 3 Shells
Range @ 10 degrees 3,450 yards (3,154 m)
Range @ 15 degrees 3,950 yards (3,612 m)
Range @ 20 degrees 4,275 yards (3,909 m)
Range @ 25 degrees 4,525 yards (4,138 m)
Range @ 30 degrees 4,650 yards (4,252 m)
Range @ 35 degrees 4,725 yards (4,320 m)
Range @ 40 degrees 4,775 yards (4,366 m)
Range @ 45 degrees 4,800 yards (4,389 m)
AA Ceiling 10,000 feet (3,048 m)
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_2cm-70_mk234.htm
0.50"/90 (12.7 mm) M2 Browning MG
Range with 1.71 oz (48.5 gm) Bullet
Range Effective: 2,600 yards (2,400 m)
Maximum: 7,400 yards (6,770 m)
AA Ceiling Effective: about 5,000 feet (1,524 m)
Maximum: about 15,000 feet (4,570 m)
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_50cal-M2_MG.htm