Somali Pirates - video - Brits arrest 13 Jan 13 2012

[MarkFromSea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... XKPiKQHTqY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You can fast forward to the 50 second mark on the video to see the bullets fly sooner!

[Amx]

[Mike Carey]

great video clip.

[spindog]

Awesome video!
They were lucky pirates, lucky that the Russians weren't there!! There is no negotiating
Here they bought the farm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA237zGT_sk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MarkFromSea]

Much better!

[G-Man]

Man, the Russian ship's crew really needed the practice! I can't get over how inaccurate their version of the Sea Whiz was.

[MarkFromSea]

I remember a rumor of R2 D2 being so sensitive to incoming objects that it's been known to unload on seagulls. Way to spread the lead!

[edge540]

Dude I deal with Russian truck drivers daily. Not only is amazing that they were able to eventually hit the target but the simple fact there all there equipment went off without catching themselves on fire is setting the bar rather high for future engagements.

[dave g]

still being active as a merchant seaman, this is a subject close to my heart. i've been to russia a few times and i understand how easy it can be to poke fun of certain things. this i believe is a prime example of 'better to have them with you than against you'...

[Big D]

I would venture to say that no Somali pirates were hurt or killed in the making of the above video. It simply shows what happens to an unmanned navigational hazard when a military ship comes upon it. I figure the pirates were removed long before the the firing practice took place thereby leaving their boat unmanned and a good place to practice with the several weapons systems aboard the ship. It's pretty standard pratice in all the navies of the world and it's helps build crew morale and brakes up the monotony of long cruises away from home. (Been there, done that)

I remember a rumor of R2 D2 being so sensitive to incoming objects that it's been known to unload on seagulls. Way to spread the lead!

It's a manned system so any unloading is controlled by the man behind the curtain so to speak. I'd sure hate to be that man explaining to the skipper how I touched off a few thousand rounds at a seagull. I have however seen seagulls cooked by the CWIS radar in mid-flight.

[MarkFromSea]

Figured the same on the pirates, but, one can be hopeful! ;)
My memory of the Phalanx rumor was from about 20 years ago???? It was a rumor.. BUT looks like they have "auto fire" or "reccomend fire" options. Maybe the rumor I heard was bassed on the radar cooking the gulls, anything is possible.

The Phalanx CIWS is designed to be the final line of defense against anti-ship missiles. It is capable of firing 4500 rounds per minute with its 20mm M61 Vulcan gatling gun. The gun is linked to a radar system that automatically searches,

The basis of the system is the 20 mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun autocannon, used since the 1960s by the United States military in nearly all fighter aircraft (and one land mounting, the M163 VADS), linked to a Ku-band radar system for acquiring and tracking targets. This proven system was combined with a purpose-made mounting, capable of fast elevation and traverse speeds, to track incoming targets. An entirely self-contained unit, the mounting houses the gun, an automated fire control system and all other major components, enabling it to automatically search for, detect, track, engage and confirm kills using its computer-controlled radar system. Due to this self-contained nature, Phalanx is ideal for support ships which lack integrated targeting systems and generally have limited sensors. The entire unit has a mass between 5,500 and 6,100 kg (12,400 to 13,500 lb).

Radar subsystems
The CIWS has two antennas that work together to engage targets. The first antenna, for searching, is located inside the radome on the weapon control group (top of the white-painted portion). The search subsystem provides bearing, range, velocity, heading, and altitude information of potential targets to the CIWS computer. This information is analyzed to determine whether the detected object should be engaged by the CIWS system. Once the computer identifies a valid target (see details below), the mount moves to face the target and then hands the target over to the track antenna. The track antenna is extremely precise, but views a much smaller area. The tracking subsystem observes the target until the computer determines that the probability of a successful hit is maximized and then, depending on the operator conditions, the system will either fire """automatically""" or will """recommend""" fire to the operator. While firing, the system tracks outgoing rounds and 'walks' them onto the target.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_CIWS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;