- Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm Naval Revolver Gun System
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Oerlikon Millennium 35mm Naval Revolver Gun System Type CIWS Place of origin Switzerland Service history In service 2003 Used by Denmark Production history Designed 1995 Manufacturer Rheinmetall Air Defence, Oerlikon Contraves Specifications Weight Gun: 450 kg
Turret: 3300 kgLength 5.5 m Width 2.39 m Height 1.94 m Crew unmanned Shell 35 x 228 mm Caliber 35 mm Action Revolver cannon Elevation -15 / +85 degrees
rate: 70 degree/sTraverse 360 degrees
rate: 120 degrees per secondRate of fire Single shot
Rapid Single Shot: 200 rounds per minute
Burst (automatic fire): 1000 rounds per minuteMuzzle velocity AHEAD: 1,050 m/s (3,445 ft/s)
HEI: 1,175 m/s (3,854 ft/s)
APDS/T: 1,440 m/s (3,950 ft/s)Effective range 3500m (3830 yd) Feed system 252 linkless rounds on turret The Oerlikon Millennium 35mm Naval Gun System is a Close-in weapon system designed by Oerlikon (a Rheinmetall subsidiary) for mounting on ships. It is based on the new Oerlikon 35 mm revolver cannon land based Air defense system, and uses AHEAD ammunition. A device at the muzzle end of the barrel measures the exact speed of each round as it is fired, and automatically sets the fuse to detonate the round as it approaches a pre-set distance from the target. Each round disperses over 150 small projectiles to strike the incoming target. Whilst these are too small to do major damage in themselves, the accumulation of damage from multiple strikes is expected to destroy wings and control surfaces, sensors and aerodynamics, causing the target to crash. Other firing modes are designed to be effective against surface targets such as small fast attack boats.
The Millennium gun is easy to install as it requires no through deck penetration and needs no supply of coolant, air or ship's power to operate. However, it does need a power supply to recharge its batteries. Installation can take as little as sixty minutes and requires only six square metres of deck space. A Millennium gun and 252 rounds weighs 3,200 kg. The gun's cupola is claimed to have a low radar cross section.
The weapon is designed to be controlled by an external fire-control system using either radar or electro-optical trackers. It is fitted with an optional onboard observation TV camera which relays imagery to an operator console from which it can also be aimed and fired in an emergency mode. The computer system uses an open architecture and is claimed to be compatible with many existing fire control systems.
See also
- Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon earlier system using AHEAD rounds
- Denel 35mm Dual Purpose Gun comparable South African CIWS
External links
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