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The Soon Coming Judgment Of God Upon America and How To Escape It 48
be thrown against a cruiser. Phalanx is being fitted to more than 360 ships in the US Navy, from
aircraft carriers to frigates.
The Phalanx is capable of detecting the incoming missile threatening the cruiser, tracking
it, aligning the Vulcan gun on target and firing it, and maintaining track until it is destroyed. The
gatling gun has breathtaking firepower and pumps the target with 3,000 rounds per minute.
Every second it fires, 50 shells leave the barrels. There are very few missiles that could survive
such a torrent of hot metal and still hit the ship.
Phalanx has an effective range of almost a mile but it can continue to track and fire when
the target is close in, hitting it from a range of only 1,500 feet.”
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Aegis Combat System – This combat system was designed for Cruisers. The Aegis
system integrates and fully automates all weapons systems aboard a ship. “The combat weapons
controlled by Aegis include the surface-to-air Standard missile to knock out enemy missiles,
aircraft, and surface ships, the Phalanx automatic anti-air gun to destroy very fast anti-ship
missiles or sea skimming planes at close range, 127mm (5-inch) guns for close surface targets,
Harpoon for attacking long-range surface threats, anti-submarine rockets (ASROC), torpedoes,
airborne helicopters for ASW operations, and electronic decoys and detectors.”
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Aegis relies on highly sophisticated computers, computer programs and the AN/SPY-1
radar system. This radar system can simultaneously detect, track and provide missile guidance
for up to 100 targets. Aegis can differentiate between genuine treats and non-threats, it can even
spot harmless decoys. Once a threat or multiple threats have been detected Aegis can control all
weapons systems in order to eliminate the threat or threats by the most efficient means.
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These weapons systems are deployed on some of the most advanced and powerful Naval
vessels in the world. These include: Frigates, Cruisers, Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers, and
submarines. Lets take a brief look at these.
Naval Vessels
Frigates – US Navy Frigates function as protective escorts for both supply convoys and
Navy war ships in low and medium threat environments. They are armed with one guided missile
launcher for launching SM-1MR surface to air missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles; two
triple torpedo tubes for firing either MK 46 Mod 5 or Mk 50 ASW torpedoes; one 3 inch 62
caliber fully automatic gun mount capable of 85 rounds per minute with a maximum range of
11.93 miles against surface targets; one Phalanx close in weapons system and two SH-60
Seahawk Lamps III helicopters. They also have advanced radar and sonar systems and
countermeasures.
The FFG7 - Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigates which compose the US
fleet of 36 are 453 feet long and powered by twin gas turbine engines. They can do 30 knots and
have a crew of 300. They cost close to a $1 billion each.
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Cruisers – The US Navy has 27 Cruisers in service which are designed as surface
combat vessels which are capable of multiple target response. The Ticonderoga Class Cruisers
are equipped with the latest radar, sonar and missile systems. Radar systems include the most up
to date air, surface, gunfire control and fire control illuminator systems. Missile systems include:
standard surface to air missiles; Tomahawk cruise missiles; ASROC vertical launch anti-
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