30mm Goalkeeper
Overview
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system on ROKS Yulgok Yi I destroyer.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
United Kingdom
South Korea
Description
Introduction
The Goalkeeper is a late Cold War era close-in weapon system of Dutch origin. It was developed by Hollandse Signaal Apparaten to provide last ditch protection against the new range of Soviet supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. The Goalkeeper is a very capable CIWS system, but comes with a high price tag and has proved to be somewhat difficult to integrate.
Design
The Goalkeeper is a CIWS system with a powerful gatling-type autocannon and on mount fire control systems. When introduced the Goalkeeper featured a level of automation and target prioritization not yet found in older systems. The large mount, powerful recoil and below deck ammunition handling system make the Goalkeeper requires that use of the Goalkeeper is integrated in the ship design.
Fire control
The Goalkeeper features both search radar and fire control radar on its mount. The search radar is a 2D system that operates at the I-band and has a range of about 30 km. Up to 18 targets are tracked at the same time and serve as input for target prioritization and queueing. The tracking radar operates on both I band and K band. Time between detection and engagement can be as little as 5 seconds. TV guidance allows for remote manual control of the Goalkeeper.
Firepower
The seven barrel GAU-8/A Avenger gatling-type autocannon is the centerpiece of the Goalkeeper. It is the same armament as used on the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft. The powerful 30x173mm rounds, radar correction and 4.200 rpm cyclic rate of fire provides the Goalkeeper a rather high level of effectiveness at its practical effective range of 1.5 km. Engagement starts at 1.5 km and with supersonic missiles ends as close in as 300 meters. The linkless feed system holds 1.190 rounds. The system was designed to use tungsten sabot rounds, with a new series of frangible ammunition under development.
Users
The Goalkeeper is used on various classes of ships of frigate size or larger. The main users are the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (former user) and South Korea. The Goalkeeper has been exported to several nations, mostly when fitted on former Dutch navy ships were exported.
Details
Media
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system on HMS Invincible firing during an exercise.
Source: Royal Navy
Copyright: Open Government License
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system.
Source: Royal Navy
Copyright: Open Government License
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Subcomponents
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
The Goalkeeper is armed with the American GAU-8/A Avenger gatling-type autocannon.
Related articles
30mm Type 730
The Chinese Type 730 (H/PJ12) close-in weapon system has a very similar design, armament and performance as the Goalkeeper.