Goalkeeper CIWS

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Goalkeeper CIWS
A Goalkeeper CIWS on a British Invincible-class aircraft carrier firing at a target
Type	Close-in weapon system
Place of origin	Netherlands
Service history
In service	1980–present
Used by	See operators
Production history
Designer	Signaal (now Thales Nederland)
Designed	1975
Manufacturer	Thales Naval Netherlands
Produced	1979
Specifications
Mass	6,372 kg (14,048 lb) with 1,190 rds of ammunition (above deck); 9,902 kg (21,830 lb) (total).
Height	3.71 m (above deck) 6.2 m (including deck penetration).
Crew	Automated, with human oversight
Shell	30×173mm TP, HEI, MPDS, or FMPDS
Caliber	30 mm (1.2 in)
Barrels	7-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 14 grooves)
Elevation	+85 to −25 degrees at 80 degree/s
Traverse	Unlimited
Rate of fire	70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute)
Muzzle velocity	1,109 m/s (MPDS round)
Effective firing range	350 to between 1,500 and 2,000 metres dependent on ammunition
Main armament	1 x 30 mm (1.2 in) GAU-8/A Avenger seven-barrel rotary cannon

The Goalkeeper CIWS is a Dutch close-in weapon system (CIWS) introduced in 1979. It is an autonomous and completely automatic weapon system for short-range defence of ships against highly maneuverable missiles, aircraft and fast-maneuvering surface vessels. Once activated the system automatically undertakes the entire air defence process from surveillance and detection to destruction, including the selection of the next priority target.