The Mark 34 Gun Weapon System (GWS) is a component of the Aegis Combat System that is responsible for controlling and providing fire control to the 5" Mark 45 gun. It is used on the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and several later Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The Mk 34 GWS receives target data from the ship's sensors and off-ship sources, performs ballistic calculations, and produces gun control orders. The system is made up of the gun mount itself, the fire-control computer, and an optical sight.[1][2]
The Mk 34 GWS was developed to improve the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer's ability to use the Mk 45 gun against a variety of threats.[2] It is different from previous gun fire-control systems in that it was developed under a one-system concept and is a fully integrated subsystem of Aegis. The Aegis Command and Decision (C&D) system issues target engagement orders to the Mk 34 GWS.[1]
The 5"/54 caliber or 5"/62 caliber Mark 45 gun is fully-automated and capable of engaging surface targets in an anti-ship role, air targets in an anti-aircraft or defensive anti-missile role, and land targets in a naval gunfire support role. The gun has a range of 13 nmi (24.1 km) for 5"/54 variants[4] or 20 nmi (37.0 km) for the 5"/62 variant.[5] Its maximum rate of fire is 16–20 rounds per minute.[2]
Mark 160 Gun Computer System (GCS)
The Mark 160 GCS is responsible for receiving target information from the ship's sensors and computing a ballistic solution based on the selected ammunition type. Using the solution, the Mk 160 GCS provides control and fire orders to the Mark 45 gun.[1]
Gun computer console (GCC) – Located in the ship's Combat Information Center (CIC), it is the primary interface between the Mk 34 GWS, the Aegis C&D system, and the ship's sensors. Transmits target information to the SDC/GMP.
Computer display console (CDC) – Allows the operator to control the system.
Recorder-reproducer – Used to load operational programs and retrieve system operational data.
Signal data converter/Gun mount processor (SDC/GMP) – The GMP computes ballistic solutions for the selected target and the SDC feeds them to the gun mount.
Gun mount control panel (GMCP) – Backup interface for the GCC.
Velocimeter – A Doppler radar system directly above or next to the gun barrel that measures each fired projectile's initial velocity (IV). The GMP uses the IV data for ballistic solution corrections.
Developed by Kollmorgen in the 1990s, the Mark 46 Mod 0–1 OSS is a stabilized imaging sensor. It improves ships' situational awareness, aids in navigation, enables the crew to visually identify and track targets, and supplements the main combat sensors. The OSS is particularly useful in congested waters with multiple contacts and during nighttime operations. The OSS supports the Mark 34 GWS by providing a very accurate range using its laser. During an engagement, it can be used to visually determine if the threat has been eliminated. A shock isolation unit is designed to keep the OSS operational in the event the ship is hit.[6][7]
Control and Display Unit (CDU) – Located in the CIC, it provides the display feed from the OSS sensors and is used to operate the OSS.
Stabilization Electronics Unit (SEU) – Moves the ADSU and routes signals to/from it.
Mark 20 Electro-Optical Sight System (EOSS)
L3Harris developed the Mk 20 EOSS, which improves upon the Mk 46 OSS. It features more modern technologies that offer a higher image resolution. The Mk 20 EOSS is lighter and more modular. These have led to it being installed on the U.S. Navy's littoral combat ships and the U.S. Coast Guard's Legend-class cutters. Some Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are now also being fitted with the Mk 20 Mod 1 EOSS instead of the Mk 46 Mod 1 OSS.[6][9][3]
Operation
The Mark 34 GWS has four modes of operation:
Surface Direct Fire Mode
Naval Gunfire Support Mode
Anti-aircraft Mode
Support Mode
Surface Direct Fire (SDF) Mode
SDF mode is used for the engagement of a surface target. The ship's main radar (e.g., AN/SPY-1D on Flight I–IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, AN/SPY-6 on Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers) is the primary source of target data. The secondary surface search radar (e.g., AN/SPS-67 on earlier Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, AN/SPQ-9B on later Arleigh Burke-class destroyers) serves as a secondary source of targeting information. The Mk 46 OSS or Mk 20 EOSS supplements the radars. These sensors work together to provide high-quality target data to the GMP.[8]
In the event of sensor or GCS failure, the Mk 45 gun can still be manually directed (e.g., inputting coordinates, range, etc.).[8]
Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS) Mode
NGFS mode is used for engaging indirect land targets which cannot be tracked by the ship's sensors. NGFS is instead accomplished using operator-entered data, such as the target's coordinates. There are four submodes of NGFS mode:[8]
Grid Navigational Reference
Relative Navigational Reference
Grid Dead Reckoning
Relative Dead Reckoning
Anti-aircraft Mode
Operation under anti-aircraft mode is similar to operation under SDF mode, though there are limitations to what sensors are able to track the air target, depending on its nature. For example, the AN/SPQ-9B can detect sea-skimming anti-ship missiles[10] but would not contribute to the engagement of a high-flying aircraft.[11] Often, the SPY-1 or SPY-6 would be the only source of target data. The SDC/GMP additionally sends fuze orders for variable time fuze shells.[8]
Support Mode
Support mode is used to calibrate the Mk 34 GWS. The Mk 45 gun shoots several rounds, which are tracked by the SPY-1 or SPY-6 radar. Their trajectory is compared to the expected trajectory, and data used by the Mk 34 GWS is updated to correct the shots.[8]
References
^ abcdBomar, Jim; Null, Roger; Wallace, Jerry (1993). Gunner's Mate. The Activity.
^ abcd"MK 34 Gun Weapon System (GWS)". man.fas.org. from the original on 2021-09-19. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^ ab"L3Harris to build electro-optical gun sights for Navy destroyers and cruisers, and Coast Guard ships". www.militaryaerospace.com. from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^"MK 45 - 5-inch 54/62 Caliber Guns". www.navy.mil. from the original on 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^"Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System". BAE Systems. from the original on 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^ abRogoway, Tyler (2019-09-27). "U.S. Warships Have This Seldom Discussed But Very Powerful Optical Targeting System". The Drive. from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^ ab"Mk46 MOD 1 Optical Sight System". Kollmorgen. from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^ abcdef"MK 34 GUN FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM". man.fas.org. from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^Keller, John. "Navy asks L3Harris electro-optics experts to build shipboard fire-control systems for surface warships". www.militaryaerospace.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^"AN/SPQ-9B Radar Set". www.navy.mil. from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
^Thomas, Jeffrey; Bailey, Robert; Stucky, Wayne; Roulette, Jay; Silberman, Geoffrey; David, Marable; Kuhns, M. Catherine; Rizzuto, Jan; Lindberg, Jon; Switlick, Mark; Allen Jr., Edward (2001). "SSDS Mk 2 Combat System Integration" (PDF). The APL Technical Digest. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. 22 (4): 553. (PDF) from the original on 2022-12-02.
January 26, 2023
mark, weapon, system, component, aegis, combat, system, that, responsible, controlling, providing, fire, control, mark, used, navy, arleigh, burke, class, destroyer, several, later, ticonderoga, class, cruisers, receives, target, data, from, ship, sensors, shi. The Mark 34 Gun Weapon System GWS is a component of the Aegis Combat System that is responsible for controlling and providing fire control to the 5 Mark 45 gun It is used on the U S Navy Arleigh Burke class destroyer and several later Ticonderoga class cruisers The Mk 34 GWS receives target data from the ship s sensors and off ship sources performs ballistic calculations and produces gun control orders The system is made up of the gun mount itself the fire control computer and an optical sight 1 2 USS Mason fires her Mark 45 Mod 4 The Mk 34 GWS was developed to improve the Arleigh Burke class destroyer s ability to use the Mk 45 gun against a variety of threats 2 It is different from previous gun fire control systems in that it was developed under a one system concept and is a fully integrated subsystem of Aegis The Aegis Command and Decision C amp D system issues target engagement orders to the Mk 34 GWS 1 Contents 1 Components 1 1 5 Mark 45 gun 1 2 Mark 160 Gun Computer System GCS 1 3 Mark 46 Optical Sight System OSS 1 4 Mark 20 Electro Optical Sight System EOSS 2 Operation 2 1 Surface Direct Fire SDF Mode 2 2 Naval Gunfire Support NGFS Mode 2 3 Anti aircraft Mode 2 4 Support Mode 3 ReferencesComponents EditThe Mark 34 Gun Weapon System consists of three components 2 5 Mark 45 gun Mark 160 Gun Computer System Mark 46 Optical Sight System or Mark 20 Electro Optical Sight System 3 5 Mark 45 gun Edit Main article 5 54 caliber Mark 45 gunThe 5 54 caliber or 5 62 caliber Mark 45 gun is fully automated and capable of engaging surface targets in an anti ship role air targets in an anti aircraft or defensive anti missile role and land targets in a naval gunfire support role The gun has a range of 13 nmi 24 1 km for 5 54 variants 4 or 20 nmi 37 0 km for the 5 62 variant 5 Its maximum rate of fire is 16 20 rounds per minute 2 Mark 160 Gun Computer System GCS Edit The Mark 160 GCS is responsible for receiving target information from the ship s sensors and computing a ballistic solution based on the selected ammunition type Using the solution the Mk 160 GCS provides control and fire orders to the Mark 45 gun 1 The Mark 160 Gun Computer System consists of 1 Gun computer console GCC Located in the ship s Combat Information Center CIC it is the primary interface between the Mk 34 GWS the Aegis C amp D system and the ship s sensors Transmits target information to the SDC GMP Computer display console CDC Allows the operator to control the system Recorder reproducer Used to load operational programs and retrieve system operational data Signal data converter Gun mount processor SDC GMP The GMP computes ballistic solutions for the selected target and the SDC feeds them to the gun mount Gun mount control panel GMCP Backup interface for the GCC Velocimeter A Doppler radar system directly above or next to the gun barrel that measures each fired projectile s initial velocity IV The GMP uses the IV data for ballistic solution corrections Velocimeter of 5 54 caliber Mk 45 gun aboard USS The Sullivans DDG 68 ADSU of Mk 46 OSS aboard USS Chafee DDG 90 Mark 46 Optical Sight System OSS Edit Developed by Kollmorgen in the 1990s the Mark 46 Mod 0 1 OSS is a stabilized imaging sensor It improves ships situational awareness aids in navigation enables the crew to visually identify and track targets and supplements the main combat sensors The OSS is particularly useful in congested waters with multiple contacts and during nighttime operations The OSS supports the Mark 34 GWS by providing a very accurate range using its laser During an engagement it can be used to visually determine if the threat has been eliminated A shock isolation unit is designed to keep the OSS operational in the event the ship is hit 6 7 The Mark 46 Optical Sight System consists of 8 Above Deck Sensor Unit ADSU Stabilized two axis director with a daylight imaging sensor a thermal imaging sensor and a laser rangefinder 7 Control and Display Unit CDU Located in the CIC it provides the display feed from the OSS sensors and is used to operate the OSS Stabilization Electronics Unit SEU Moves the ADSU and routes signals to from it Mark 20 Electro Optical Sight System EOSS Edit L3Harris developed the Mk 20 EOSS which improves upon the Mk 46 OSS It features more modern technologies that offer a higher image resolution The Mk 20 EOSS is lighter and more modular These have led to it being installed on the U S Navy s littoral combat ships and the U S Coast Guard s Legend class cutters Some Arleigh Burke class destroyers are now also being fitted with the Mk 20 Mod 1 EOSS instead of the Mk 46 Mod 1 OSS 6 9 3 Operation EditThe Mark 34 GWS has four modes of operation Surface Direct Fire Mode Naval Gunfire Support Mode Anti aircraft Mode Support ModeSurface Direct Fire SDF Mode Edit SDF mode is used for the engagement of a surface target The ship s main radar e g AN SPY 1D on Flight I IIA Arleigh Burke class destroyers AN SPY 6 on Flight III Arleigh Burke class destroyers is the primary source of target data The secondary surface search radar e g AN SPS 67 on earlier Arleigh Burke class destroyers AN SPQ 9B on later Arleigh Burke class destroyers serves as a secondary source of targeting information The Mk 46 OSS or Mk 20 EOSS supplements the radars These sensors work together to provide high quality target data to the GMP 8 In the event of sensor or GCS failure the Mk 45 gun can still be manually directed e g inputting coordinates range etc 8 Naval Gunfire Support NGFS Mode Edit NGFS mode is used for engaging indirect land targets which cannot be tracked by the ship s sensors NGFS is instead accomplished using operator entered data such as the target s coordinates There are four submodes of NGFS mode 8 Grid Navigational Reference Relative Navigational Reference Grid Dead Reckoning Relative Dead ReckoningAnti aircraft Mode Edit Operation under anti aircraft mode is similar to operation under SDF mode though there are limitations to what sensors are able to track the air target depending on its nature For example the AN SPQ 9B can detect sea skimming anti ship missiles 10 but would not contribute to the engagement of a high flying aircraft 11 Often the SPY 1 or SPY 6 would be the only source of target data The SDC GMP additionally sends fuze orders for variable time fuze shells 8 Support Mode Edit Support mode is used to calibrate the Mk 34 GWS The Mk 45 gun shoots several rounds which are tracked by the SPY 1 or SPY 6 radar Their trajectory is compared to the expected trajectory and data used by the Mk 34 GWS is updated to correct the shots 8 References Edit a b c d Bomar Jim Null Roger Wallace Jerry 1993 Gunner s Mate The Activity a b c d MK 34 Gun Weapon System GWS man fas org Archived from the original on 2021 09 19 Retrieved 2022 11 30 a b L3Harris to build electro optical gun sights for Navy destroyers and cruisers and Coast Guard ships www militaryaerospace com Archived from the original on 2022 12 10 Retrieved 2022 11 30 MK 45 5 inch 54 62 Caliber Guns www navy mil Archived from the original on 2022 02 16 Retrieved 2022 11 30 Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System BAE Systems Archived from the original on 2022 12 08 Retrieved 2022 11 30 a b Rogoway Tyler 2019 09 27 U S Warships Have This Seldom Discussed But Very Powerful Optical Targeting System The Drive Archived from the original on 2022 11 30 Retrieved 2022 11 30 a b Mk46 MOD 1 Optical Sight System Kollmorgen Archived from the original on 2022 11 30 Retrieved 2022 11 30 a b c d e f MK 34 GUN FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM man fas org Archived from the original on 2022 11 30 Retrieved 2022 11 30 Keller John Navy asks L3Harris electro optics experts to build shipboard fire control systems for surface warships www militaryaerospace com Retrieved 2022 11 30 AN SPQ 9B Radar Set www navy mil Archived from the original on 2022 12 10 Retrieved 2022 11 30 Thomas Jeffrey Bailey Robert Stucky Wayne Roulette Jay Silberman Geoffrey David Marable Kuhns M Catherine Rizzuto Jan Lindberg Jon Switlick Mark Allen Jr Edward 2001 SSDS Mk 2 Combat System Integration PDF The APL Technical Digest Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory 22 4 553 Archived PDF from the original on 2022 12 02 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mark 34 Gun Weapon System amp oldid 1126680989, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
