View source for Goalkeeper CIWS

{{Unreferenced|date=October 2008}}

{{Infobox Weapon
| name               = Goalkeeper[[CIWS]]
| image              = [[Image:Goalkeeper.jpg|thumb|300px]]
| caption            = Goalkeeper CIWS on a British [[Invincible class aircraft carrier]] 
| origin             = 
| type               = [[Close-in weapon system|Close In Weapons System]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = Yes
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = Yes
| is_artillery       = Yes
| is_vehicle         = Yes
| is_missile         = 
| is_UK              = 
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 1980-Present
| used_by            = See [[Goalkeeper CIWS#Operators|Operators]]
| wars               = 
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[Signaal]] (now [[Thales Nederland]]) 
| design_date        = 1975
| manufacturer       = Thales Navy Netherlands
| unit_cost          = €16 million
| production_date    = 1979
| number             = 
| variants           = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| weight             = 6,372&nbsp;kg with 1,190&nbsp;rds of ammunition (above deck), 9,902&nbsp;kg (total).
| length             = 
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 3.71&nbsp;m (above deck) 6.2&nbsp;m (including deck penetration).
| diameter           = 
| crew               = Automated, with human oversight
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
| cartridge          = 
| cartridge_weight   = 
| caliber            = 30&nbsp;mm
| barrels            = 7
| action             = 
| rate               = 70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute)
| velocity           = 1,109&nbsp;m/s (MPDS round)
| range              = 350 to between 1,500 and 2,000 meters dependent on ammunition
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 
| sights             = 
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = +85 to −25 degrees at 80 degrees/sec
| traverse           = 360°
<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
| filling            = 
| filling_weight     = 
| detonation         = 
| yield              = 
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = 
| primary_armament   = 1 x [[GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8/A Avenger]] 30&nbsp;mm seven-barrel [[Gatling gun]]
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             = 
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| transmission       = 
| payload_capacity   = 
| suspension         = 
| clearance          = 
| fuel_capacity      = 
| vehicle_range      = 
| speed              = 
| guidance           = 
| steering           = 
}}

'''Goalkeeper''' is a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] [[close-in weapon system]] (CIWS), which defends [[ship]]s  against incoming [[missile]]s and ballistic shells. This system consists of an [[autocannon]] and an advanced [[radar]] which tracks incoming fire, determines its trajectory, then aims the gun and fires; all in only a matter of seconds. The system is fully automatic, needing no human input once activated. The name comes from the [[Goalkeeper (association football)|football/soccer position]]. The system is made by Thales Navy Netherlands. The system can also be deployed to protect [[airport|airfield]]s.

==Development==
Development of the system began in 1975 with [[Signaal]] (now [[Thales Nederland]]) working with [[General Electric]], who supplied the [[GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8]] gun. A prototype, the EX-83 was first demonstrated to the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] in 1979.

==Description==
===Target selection===
Goalkeeper has two radar sub-systems; search and track, which operate in conjunction with one another to identify and prioritise targets before engaging the highest priority.

The 2D [[I band]] search radar, which can track up to 18 targets at once, generates a threat picture which the gun system uses to identify threats and prioritise.  Once a target has been prioritised the engagement radar is slewed to the target bearing indicated by the search radar. The tracking radar operates in both [[I band]] and [[K band#NATO K band|K band]] to enable quick acquisition on the threat bearing.  Data from both the I band and K band return signals indicate target range and can be used to identify, and respond to the use of, [[electronic countermeasures]] (ECM).  The dual band system also reduces the effect of [[Clutter (radar)|clutter]], which can mask the target at low altitude.  A camera system on the assembly provides a visual fallback for the system operator.

[[Image:Goalkeeper CIWS target.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Target hit by Goalkeeper]]

===Target engagement===
The [[GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8/A Avenger]] [[30 mm caliber|30 mm]] [[Gatling gun]], as used by the [[A-10 Thunderbolt II]], was selected for the system.  The 30&nbsp;mm round has a greater mass than the [[M61 Vulcan]] used in the [[Phalanx CIWS]] so that it has greater stopping power despite the similar muzzle velocity and range.

The 30&nbsp;mm round has a discarding nylon sleeve, or [[sabot]], with a 21&nbsp;mm sub-calibre tungsten penetrator.  The nylon sabot provides a seal between penetrator and barrel, and reduces wear. 

The tracking radar is capable of monitoring the line of fire and commanding minor adjustments.

[[Supersonic]] missiles that are damaged may still have enough momentum to hit the ship—the only way to ensure the protection of the ship is either detonate the warhead of the missile or obliterate the missile. 

The system's reaction time to a [[Mach number|Mach 2]] sea-skimming missile like the Russian [[SS-N-22 Sunburn]] from automatic detection to kill is reported{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} to be 5.5 seconds with the firing synchronised to start the engagement at a range of 1,500&nbsp;m and ending with a kill at 300&nbsp;m.

==Specifications==
* '''Gun''': [[GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8/A Avenger]] 30&nbsp;mm seven-barrel [[Gatling gun]].
* '''Height''': 3.71&nbsp;m (above deck) 6.2&nbsp;m (including deck penetration).
* '''Weight''': 6,372&nbsp;kg with 1,190&nbsp;rds of ammunition (above deck), 9,902&nbsp;kg (total).
* '''Elevation''' +85° to −25° at 80°/s.
* '''Muzzle velocity''': 1,109&nbsp;m/s (MPDS round).
* '''Turret speed''' 360° in 3.8 seconds
* '''Rate of fire''': 70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute).
* '''Maximum burst size''': 1,000 rounds.
* '''Ammunition''':  1,190 linkless (HEI, API, TP, MPDS, FMPDS) rounds in a below-deck magazine.
* '''Reload time''': 9 minutes (loading is done below deck)
* '''Weapons range''': 350 to between 1,500 and 2,000 meters dependent on ammunition.
* '''Search radar''': [[Radar#Frequency bands|I band]]/linear array. I band is X band. Beamsize 1.5 degrees horizontal, 60 degrees vertical. Rotates at 1&nbsp;Hz (60&nbsp;RPM). Range approx. 30&nbsp;km.
* '''Engagement radar''': I band and K band monopulse [[Cassegrain antenna|cassegrain]].
* '''Optical system''': TV
* '''100% Kill distance''': 500&nbsp;m
* '''Cost''': €16 million

==Operators==
* {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]: [[Royal Navy]]
** {{HMS|Illustrious|R06}}, {{HMS|Invincible|R05}}, {{HMS|Albion|L14}}, {{HMS|Bulwark|L15}} and the four [[Type 22 frigate|Type 22]] batch 3 [[frigate]]s.
** ''Illustrious'' and ''Invincible'' were previously equipped with Phalanx.  They were replaced with three Goalkeepers (per ship). The other ship of the same class, {{HMS|Ark Royal|R07}}, retained the Phalanx.
*{{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Croatia]]{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}
* {{flagicon|Chile}} [[Chile]]: [[Chilean Navy]]
** 2 {{sclass|Jacob van Heemskerck|frigate}}s
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]: [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]
** The system entered service with all Royal Netherlands Navy's large surface ships since in 1980.
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[South Korea]]: [[Republic of Korea Navy]]
** {{sclass|Gwanggaeto the Great|destroyer}}s
** {{sclass|Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin|destroyer}}s
** {{sclass|Sejong the Great|destroyer}}s
** {{sclass|Dokdo|amphibious assault ship}}
* {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal]]: [[Portuguese Navy]]
** 2 {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate}}s
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]: [[Belgian Navy]]
** 2 ''Karel Doorman'' class frigates

==External links==
{{Commons category|Goalkeeper CIWS}}
*[http://www.thalesgroup.com/assets/0/93/238/5370664f-6491-432d-af18-aee6860f114a.pdf?LangType=2057 ThalesGroup .pdf]
*[http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server.php?show=nav.2219 RN page about the Goalkeeper CIWS.]
*[http://www.gdatp.com/files/PDF/A014_Goalkeeper.pdf General Dynamics fact sheet.]
*[http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNNeth_30mm_Goalkeeper.htm Naval weapons.com article on the Goalkeeper CIWS.]
*[http://kitsune.addr.com/LCF/goalkeeper.html Goalkeeper CIWS] at the Royal Netherlands Navy LCF Frigate information page
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdeNI328pjk&NR=1 Goalkeeper CIWS on Youtube]

[[Category:Naval anti-aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Rotary cannons]]
[[Category:Close-in weapon systems]]
[[Category:Military robots]]
[[Category:30 mm artillery]]

[[Category:2Fix]]