re: #205 McSpiff

Can’t quote sources unfortunately, but I know the USN was looking to train against an essentially upgraded Somali pirate type scenario, that is many small boats smaller (and with associated smaller radar cross section) than a Osa class, with close range, low altitude attacks. Something that the Burke class was not optimized to handle. Essentially speed boats operating as swarms in a very confined environment where traditional radar-based situational awareness would be limited, and with most ships only carrying a limited number of weapons that can successfully engage these types of targets (think CWIS-1b with the IR camera in a manual mode). Otherwise you’re looking at night vision goggles and .50 cals, not an ideal solution.

The other issue is shore based hit and run attacks like we saw in Libya, although those would pose a larger threat to tankers than USN ships.

Our ships also mount M134D 7.62 Gatling guns (the model number is Army, the Navy’s designation is different) and Bushmaster 25mm chain guns, in addition to the .50 cals. Our .50 cals have also seen major upgrades in their sights in the past few years. The ring type sites of WWII have been replaced by modern optics and holographic sites.