Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Close-in Weapon System CIWS

Surface Vessel Weapon System
Oerlikon Millennium CIWS
35mm Close-in Weapon System

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04/21

The Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun or Rheinmetall GDM-008 is a close-in weapon system designed by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG (formerly known as Oerlikon Contraves) for mounting on ships. It is based on the 35/1000 revolver gun land-based air defense system and uses AHEAD ammunition.

A device at the muzzle end of the barrel measures the exact speed of each round as it is fired, and automatically sets the fuse to detonate the round as it approaches a pre-set distance from the target. Each round disperses 152 small tungsten projectiles weighing 3.3 grams (0.12 oz) each to form a lethal cone-shaped cloud to strike the incoming target. Whilst these are too small to do major damage in themselves, the accumulation of damage from multiple strikes is expected to destroy wings and control surfaces, sensors and aerodynamics, causing the target to crash. Other firing modes are designed to be effective against surface targets such as small fast attack boats.

The weapon is designed to be controlled by an external fire-control system using either radar or electro-optical trackers. It is fitted with an optional onboard observation TV camera which relays imagery to an operator console from which it can also be aimed and fired in an emergency mode. The computer system uses an open architecture and is claimed to be compatible with many existing fire control systems.

The gun's ammunition capacity allows it to engage 10 anti-ship missiles or 20 surface targets.

Manufacturer: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
(Swiss Oerlikon Contraves was purchased by German Rheinmetall in 1999)

Mass: Gun: 450 kg (992 lbs) / Installation: 3300 kg (7275 lbs)
Length: 5.5 meters (18 feet)
Width: 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in)
Height: 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)

Caliber: 35 mm
Shell: 35 x 228mm
Barrels: singular
Action: Gas-operated revolver cannon
Elevation: -15 / +85 degrees | rate: 70 degree/s
Traverse: 360 degrees | rate: 120 degrees per second
Effective firing range: 3,500 - 5,000 m (3,800 - 5,500 yd)
Feed system: 252 linkless rounds in installation

Rate of fire:
Single shot
Rapid Single Shot: 200 rounds per minute
Burst (automatic fire): 1000 rounds per minute

Muzzle velocity:
AHEAD: 1,050 m/s (3,445 ft/s)
HEI: 1,175 m/s (3,854 ft/s)
APDS/T: 1,440 m/s (4,724 ft/s)

source: wikipedia

USERS:

Royal Danish Navy (Kongelige Danske Marine):
Absalon class Frigate
Iver Huitfeldt class Guided Missile Frigate

Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut / TNI-AL):
Martadinata class Frigate

Venezuelan Navy (Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela)
Guaiquerí class Patrol Boat
Guaicamacuto class Patrol Boat

Finnish Navy (Merivoimat)
Pohjanmaa class Corvette (expected)

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