Posted on 03/25/2008 9:16:00 AM PDT by klpt
FOB BASE KALSU, Iraq: A Phalanx Gatling gun, most often used by naval ships to defend against incoming missiles and rockets, has been installed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu in Iraq to add a little extra punch to the base's defense system.
The gun, modified to be land-based, was installed in late February. It looks like an R2 unit from Star Wars, but unlike the little astromech droid, this gun packs a punch.
Although very complex -- having the ability to destroy incoming artillery, rocket and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their targets on the ground -- the gun is still only as good as the Soldiers manning the defense system. The Soldiers upon whom this task falls are from Battery A, 5/5 Air Defense Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division.
As the only Army counter-rocket, artillery and mortar Intercept Battery deployed in Iraq, the job was a natural fit for the air defense Soldiers. Still, preparing for the mission was a time-consuming process, one which involved preparing the new gun site and coordinating its arrival with the necessary logistical support.
Many other agencies, including Multi-National Corps-Iraq and the base Mayor's Cell, got involved, helping streamline the process. It was amazing how the different agencies came together to cut a lot of the red tape," said Capt. Andrew Cornwell, 5/5 ADA commander.
The help allowed the group to complete all the necessary preparation work before the gun arrived. Preparation involved placing more than 50 T-walls to secure the area, the construction of a guard shack and running power and fiber optics to the gun site.
"I'm surprised at how fast the fiber got laid and was ready to go," said Staff Sgt. Paul Yuhas, Battery A shift noncommissioned officer.
Although the task of preparing and installing the gun is complete, there is still a lot left to be done by the Battery A Soldiers. The responsibility of manning the gun station will fall on these Soldiers for the remainder of their deployment.
Still, the protection provided by the gun to Soldiers and civilians living on the base is enough motivation for them to continue to do their job and show the Air Defense Branch's commitment and key fighting position in Iraq.
ping
Delivered compliments of Oleg Antonov. Love it.
Amazing how complicated the world has become. We bash Russia for its undemocratic practices under Putin and we contract with a Russian company to deliver to us our most advanced weapons.
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Incredible weapon. Scares the hell out of me, just watching a demonstration video.
That’s a Russian Transport plane uloading the Phalanx.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/726718/posts
Oklahoma ping?
Shades of DIVAD.
Didn’t the Army used to have a 20mm vulcan on an M113 chassis - can’t remember the number...
The Hind was designed to shrug it off
How useful do you think that will be on land? That thing puts out a lot of lead that’ll go very far. On water, it all falls down in, well, water - no big deal. But on land, what doesn’t hit the closing target will travel a long way and come down who knows where.
Got to see them in action (peaceful) on the Enterprise back in the 80’. ROCK AND ROLL BABY
I was working on the wiring of one of the boats directly underneath the Phalanx system. I heard an announcement passed over the ship's system but couldn't make out what it said, so just went back to my work. Unfortunately, I found out later that the announcement was to "clear the starboard side main deck during test firing...". Guess where I was? Starboard side, main deck about 35 feet beneath the Phalanx system.
That bad boy cut loose with about a 5 second burst. It was quite possibly the loudest, scariest sound I've ever heard. I had no idea what the hell was going on. I just know it made me want to pee my pants. After I climbed up off the floor of the little boat I was working on, I climbed down and went inside where several people were quite astonished to see me walking in. It was unreal.
How can I get one mounted on my roof to take care of those pesky ‘Ding Dong Ditchers’.
Interesting!
Isn't most of the fire control accounting for ship's attitude, heading and speed? Those factors are eliminated on land, so all that's left is tracking an incoming target. You've reduced the math considerably.
Just my take on it, but it seems like it would be even more effective sitting on a rock-solid platform shooting at a target that only has its own motion, and not that of the platform added to it.
That’s why it’s deployed at an FOB instead of in the Green Zone.
I saw one on the USS Wisconsin in ‘92. The thing sounded like a chain saw at full throttle.
The Phalanx is nice, but the canon on the A-10 is a bit more impressive.
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