New study to examine warship protection

In light of the growing threat from small surface boats, CORDA has been awarded a £300,000 research contract by the UK MoD's Defence Technology and Innovation Centre (DTIC) to assess the level of protection British Warships receive from small calibre 30mm guns.

Awarded to CORDA as part of the multi-million pound Maritime Surface Effects (MSE) programme, the contract, to be delivered in partnership with GE FANUC and BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre, will examine the implications a large attack by small, fast boats would have on a large warship and research how the threat could be reduced. Particular emphasis will be placed on coastal and estuarine environments, where larger ships are increasingly operating.

Formulated and led by the DTIC in Shrivenham, this research draws together expertise across MoD. These include Directorate of Equipment Capability (Above Water Effects), responsible for managing military capabilities, the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood, which will host the trials phase, Dstl, providing technical direction and the DE&S Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), which will ultimately be involved in exploiting emerging new ideas or technologies. This joint working approach with CORDA will maximise the outcome of the research and ensure it is used to best effect.

"Over the last few years the threat of these small craft as an asymmetric weapon against larger warships has grown," explains Dr John Golightly, CORDA's MSE programme manager. "What we are doing is looking at the performance of the Royal Navy's 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun (ASCG) and what can be done to increase the level of protection it provides."

The MSI Defence Systems Limited-manufactured DS30 gun system, procured through the International Gunnery Missiles and Rockets IPT, will upgrade the existing 30mm gun and the results of integrating and electro optic tracker to the gun have been positive. CORDA has been asked to examine what else can be done, in a number of areas including training, doctrine and systems enhancements, to improve the force protection capability it provides.

"It can be a real David and Goliath situation with these boats when they attack in numbers. Larger ships' defences can be stretched," continues Golightly. "The ASCG system has significantly enhanced capability, but we have been asked to look at how improving tactics or integrating further technology could improve the performance of the system further."

The study will use simulator based operator trials and aims to quantify the performance of the entire weapon system when engaging multiple vehicles attacking together in a co-ordinated fashion. Results of the study are expected in early 2009.