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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 9, 2009 10:53:29 GMT 12
Remote Chain Guns for the US Navy 30 Jun 2009 www.murdoconline.net/archives/8061.html" US Warships to get remote-controlled deck guns[The 25mm (not 22mm as stated in the article?)? Mk 38 Mod 2 chain gun is being added to most US Navy surface combatants.] Navy officials say the guns take sailors out of the firing line and give them a new set of eyes for protecting the ship against small threats close aboard, but they also help crews with more mundane tasks, such as finding channel buoys. “They love it,” said Kevin Lapointe, program manager for surface guns at Naval Sea Systems Command. “This is a significant capability — not just the gun. It’s being used for more than it was initially intended. … They’re using it to gather information and do surveillance.” The optics can move independently of the gun, so checking out a boat doesn’t necessarily mean giving it the business end of the barrel. The gun can also be operated manually if needed, and it has a back-up battery for two hours. The plan calls for three Mod 2s aboard amphibious assault ships; two for cruisers, destroyers, frigates and Austin-, Whidbey Island- and Harpers Ferry-class amphibious ships; and one for patrol coastal ships. All the guns are scheduled to be installed by 2015." More info:www.sanders.com/ProductsServices/mk38_mod2_stabilized_minor_gun.htmlVIDEO
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Post by nige on Jul 9, 2009 20:19:38 GMT 12
Nice! Although the RNZN (like the RAN) already has the Rafael Mini-Typhoon 12.7mm Naval Stabilized Machine Gun System fitted to its ANZAC's: www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/9/849.pdf... and the RNZN's new OPV's and HMNZS Canterbury operate the MSI 25 mm DS25M AUTSIG Naval Gun System (based on the same M242 Bushmaster 25mm as per above, plus the NZLAVIII). www.akeryardsmarine.com/pdf/PV85-br-web.pdfSo the above item is yet another derivative, albiet perhaps more up-to-date, nonetheless it is very interesting to see that this is the variant been sought by the USN. No doubt in the future the RAN and RNZN might acquire this variant too (perhaps on the ANZAC II's)? |
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 9, 2009 20:37:09 GMT 12
nige, good to know. Thanks for links.
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Post by nige on Jul 10, 2009 8:31:50 GMT 12
You're welcome (and thanks for the various A4 diagrams etc that you've been posting). Anyway credit for the OPV PDF goes to someone else who first posted it to defencetalk.com/forums & in the RNZN thread some time ago now (perhaps someone of your experience - or anyone else here of course - might want to contribute your/their wisdom to the various debates there etc)!
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 10, 2009 9:44:33 GMT 12
nige, I'll have a look at "defencetalk.com forums"? however this forum has taught me to BE POLITE, NOT MAKE JOKES that NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND and SHADDUPyourFACE (moi). :-)
Always happy to talk Skyhawks of course. Which reminds me - the A4Ks are going to be rust buckets PDQ.
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Post by nige on Jul 10, 2009 12:19:35 GMT 12
Yeah, I must say you are very polite here, but on the other forum you can keep those little whipper-snappers in line!!!
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 10, 2009 13:20:08 GMT 12
Had a quick look there earlier. Seems to be an inpenetrable miasma of old posts categorised in a basic way that does not appear to acknowledge the FAA or NavAv at all. I would prefer Skyhawk friendly forums and there are a few of those about - including this one WoNZaf. ;D KA-CHING!
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Post by nige on Jul 10, 2009 18:35:41 GMT 12
No probs, the debates there are contempory eg whether the RAN's new Amphibious ships should be modified to carry F35B's ... so mentioning Skyhawks might sound a little like something from a by-gone era! However we kiwi's just like you just love Skyhawks so let's keep 'em coming on this great forum of Dave's!!!
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 10, 2009 19:37:58 GMT 12
So where are the F-35B threads (on LHDs)? Beats me. ;D
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Post by nige on Jul 10, 2009 20:30:15 GMT 12
Well since you asked, the recent discussion was at: www.defencetalk.com/forums/navy-maritime/royal-australian-navy-discussions-updates-5905-138/Plus the next couple of pages (and I'm sure there was some a few months or so earlier, thus one needs to go back several pages etc. I.e. go to Navy-Maritime>RAN, similary the Navy-RN thread is interesting, currently/recently discussing Naval cuts & whether to save costs on the new RN Aircraft Carrier project, whether RN/RAF F35B's may be cut or knocked back. Anyway great for contempory debate and y'know you could always start up a RAN FAA thread ! Anyway this WoNZAF forum is great because of the diverse topics and the preservation of (NZ's) aviation history. I do hope that Dave's efforts are recognised by other historians who get to see the significance of his (and others of course) efforts to preserve such history. Who know, maybe one day Dave might be knighted or receive an MBE (or whatever the heck these things are nowadays) for his services! (Why not poets, writers and blimmin musicians are recognised! So why not indeed)! Arise Sir David! |
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 10, 2009 20:41:18 GMT 12
Thanks nige, I'll check it out. About Dave... well I guess he can hope that this forum is backed up somewhere? Often these things can disappear overnight. In Oz there was a project some years ago now that backed up these sorts of 'historic' websites regularly. I'm wondering if it is still going nowadays, in this age of information everywhere available on broadband; and if there is such a backup facility run by the NZ Guvmnt for NZeders. After all they are preserving the A4Ks out in the rain - so why not WoNZaf? ;D (See how I snuck the Skyhawk reference in their - for future historians.)
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