"Machine guns and fire from embrasures": the British navy described the protection of its aircraft carriers

The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was to receive four 30-mm small-caliber automatic cannons (ASCGs), which were considered as the main caliber of the ship's defensive circuit. However, at the exit, the ship is weapon never got it. In connection with public criticism, the Royal Navy is forced to make excuses by publishing a special material.

In an ideal world of unlimited funding, aircraft carriers would have a Sea Ceptor missile system [...] However, every weapon a warship carries adds costs [...] Weapons engineers know what they are doing

- explain on navy.

Due to the high cost of missile systems, it was initially decided to install four 30-mm ASCG cannons. For them, special platforms were made on the ship.

Platforms for placing 30 mm cannons. In the forward right side of the ship, you can see the 20-mm Phalanx ZAK

The main purpose of the ASCG, at least in the context of aircraft carriers, is to protect against small surface threats, in particular from fast coastal ships, small groups of boats and unmanned surface vessels.

However, this problem was allegedly resolved after the purchase of the [laser-guided] Martlet LMM anti-ship missiles, which are equipped with Wildcat helicopters [20 ammunition]. 30-mm UR with a total weight of 260 kg], located on the aircraft carrier and escort ships (two frigates and two destroyers). In addition, the helicopters can carry 12-7mm M3M machine guns and carry snipers trained in accurate shooting at outboard motors.

Wildcat with Martlet anti-ship missiles (tested for compatibility in spring 2020) and 12.7 mm M3M

Even if Wildcat does not engage [...] any ground threat will be met by escorts who have their own weapons

- indicated on the Royal Navy.

Moreover, if the guns were installed on an aircraft carrier, then it could "accidentally hit one of the escort ships":

The high-explosive 30-mm projectile easily penetrates the light steel plate of modern warships and inflicts significant damage, which was tested during the Falklands War (fire was fired from Argentine aircraft).

As explained, any threat that escaped the attention of helicopters and escorts will meet with the 20-mm ZAK Phalanx CIWS of the Block 1B modification, specifically designed to counter high-speed ships, helicopters, drones and small missiles that are difficult to detect on radar [judging by the pictures, the ship carries one installation; applied in test mode].

The last line of defense is small arms mounted on the upper deck and in the embrasures on the lower level, from where you can fire.

- noted in the fleet.

Small arms for aircraft carrier self-defense (12,7 mm machine guns, Mini Gun) and rifle embrasures on the lower levels of the ship:

Comments

[Trapp1st]

RCC Martlet LMM, which are equipped with helicopters Wildcat [20 ammunition units. 30-mm SD with a total weight of 260 kg]

Not bad, from the heart)

[Insurgent]

"Machine guns and fire from embrasures": the British navy described the protection of its aircraft carriers

The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was to receive four 30-mm small-caliber automatic cannons (ASCGs), which were considered as the main caliber of the ship's defensive circuit. However, at the exit, the ship did not receive this weapon.

" Armed to the teeth and terribly dangerous "

[antivirus]

English archers - a formidable force .........................

+ axes for throwing. from above it is easy on boats ....

[abrakadabre]

throwing axes. from above it is easy on boats

For throwing onto boats, you can attach a concrete block on a cable along the side. Reusable ...

[Sergey Zhikharev]

It won't work. Since after the first use (plate down), it can damage (when they lift it up) the paint of the aircraft carrier ...

[abrakadabre]

It's just easy to solve. Fortunately, the sides hang over the water, and do not have a reverse slope. Like some battleships.

[volodimer]

So two sailors must be put on it at once ... with a bucket of paint. They will increase the weight of the "striking element". When lifting, the paint will be renewed. And even "stars" for the downed-drowned on board will be drawn.

[Ascold1901]

Why are you laughing at archers.))) Even in the days of La Rochelle (remember "The Three Musketeers"), the Naglichans had a lot of archers.))))

[Essex62]

And they were very effective, by the way. Range up to 250 m, rate of fire up to 20 arrows per minute. While the musketeer recharges his fool, he will become a hedgehog.

[Ascold1901]

The musketeers used the tactical technique of the caracol, so that the density of fire was quite high. Yes, and the striking effect of an arrow at such a distance was weak, but a musket bullet, weighing 50-60 g, flew out of the barrel at a speed of 500 m / s and could easily pierce even metal armor.))))

[Essex62]

Remember Agincourt, how many arrows passed through the armor of the keepers. I think the armor was not flimsy than the cuirass of the musketeers, and the pikemen wore armor not much thicker. And about such a rate of fire, with all the carousels, one could only dream of. It is surprising that under Borodino the Bashkirs were not allowed to mow down the Buanaparty columns with volleys. Crumbled could be pretty.

[volodimer]

Here on the site was about the tactics of crossbowmen against archers and how it happened with Eisencourt / Eigencourt. In the "history" section. I am sure that colleagues will quickly find both the article and the author.
Crossbowmen had to cover themselves from archers with shields when reloading. There the brave French "knights" spoiled everything with their pride, forcing the crossbowmen to substitute themselves.

Also, from under the protection of shields, they could act against archers and musketeers.

[Essex62]

All the advantage of the musket is the range. But the arrow launched along the hinged trajectory, falling from above, did not lose much in the destructive effect. the bow is on an equal footing for that period. The whole alignment was changed by magazine rifles and drum Colts. The Indians really had little chance.

[Alex777]

"Armed to the teeth and terribly dangerous"

Some kind of sur. Although if you remember in what agony the Angles gave birth to these aircraft carriers, then there is nothing surprising.
There was a time when they did not know what they would do with the first, and they were going to sell the second.
Do not put cannons on the aircraft carrier so as not to damage the escort ships?
And how is the risk of damage to the aircraft carrier by escort ships taken into account?

[skif8013]

Quote: Insurgent

"Machine guns and fire from embrasures": the British navy described the protection of its aircraft carriers

The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was to receive four 30-mm small-caliber automatic cannons (ASCGs), which were considered as the main caliber of the ship's defensive circuit. However, at the exit, the ship did not receive this weapon.

" Armed to the teeth and terribly dangerous "

Well, the fishermen were definitely scared)

[ironic]

Rabbi said to his disciples - Wisdom is like a philosopher's stone and is capable of turning a pile of rubbish into countless treasures of gold, but the thickness also has miraculous properties. After all, only stupidity can turn any amount of gold into a heap of garbage.

[rocket757]

Small arms for aircraft carrier self-defense (12,7 mm machine guns, Mini Gun) and rifle embrasures on the lower levels of the ship:

Nobody wanted to fight ... in general, and so it will do.

[Pereira]

Oh, come on. You might think they are going to fight.

[xorek]

Quote: Pereira

Oh, come on. You might think they are going to fight.

During .. Here are the trophies to collect, they are the first, remember 1945. The lion's share was snatched from all the technologies of the Germans and values. Again, they hope at the expense of Russia?

[volodimer]

Small arms for aircraft carrier self-defense (12,7 mm machine guns, Mini Gun) and rifle embrasures on the lower levels of the ship

I agree, I'm not sure that this will even be enough to repel an attack "a la destroyer Cole in Aden."
Of course, one can hope for escort ships, and if they are not ...? Then it's just a big target.

[Sidor Amenpodestovich]

On the question of why Britain (and France) need aircraft carriers at all, I recall a fragment from the film "The Wizards".

[lucul]

"Machine guns and fire from embrasures": the British navy described the protection of its aircraft carriers

Tse peramoga, I shield)))

[sedoj]

Small arms for aircraft carrier self-defense (12,7 mm machine guns, Mini Gun) and rifle embrasures on the lower levels of the ship:

Privateer protection? It can be seen still living in the days of piracy.

[mojohed2012]

It turns out that in terms of firepower, any wooden frigate of the 19th century with glatkobore guns is armed more seriously than this pepelats.
I can imagine how many missiles, air defense systems, guns would be hung on a similar corps in the USSR and Russia ... And they would have done the right thing.

[Olegkh]

In the USSR, money was not counted for arming, for which they paid. And then the principle of reasonable sufficiency - well, why would an aircraft carrier need guns? He has other means of warfare.

[Vladimir1155]

the aircraft carrier is not intended for war with a serious enemy, only aggression against peaceful, weak countries with rifles ... to bring pain and death to a peaceful land, kill women and children, plunge peoples into hunger, tears and death

[Ryusei]

Erroneous if not stupid opinion.

[ironic]

It is quite good to do this even without an aircraft carrier.

[Andy]

"from fast coastal ships" :))

[Maks1995]

It is what it is. and to fantasize wickedness.

[Evil 55]

The land of paradoxes .. On the floating airfield, which carries the Fu-35 for 100 lamas of greenery, each could not install a pair of towers for close combat .. And if the weather is bad or the escort destroyers get lost somewhere ..

[Vovk]

What if RPG suicide bombers get aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth ... his armor can withstand it?

[TermNachTer]

Embrasures for firing from the lower levels - the author did not confuse anything?))) Does he write about an aircraft carrier or about a pillbox of the WWII times? In general, the Britons saved on the self-defense of their aircraft carriers and other ships even earlier. "Phalanxes" were supposed to be on "invincibles" and "sheffields", even at the design stage, and appeared only after the Falklands)))

[Oleksandr Morozov]

"Are you kidding me, why embrasures? Are we a navy?"
film "Pentagon Wars"

[Operator]

The question is, where is the carrier's pistol loopholes (if the British Admiralty will also save on machine guns and rifles)?

[alekc75]

30mm rocket ?? maybe 300? stalk and even more. how does it weigh 260 kg ???

[SovAr238A]

Quote: alekc75

30mm rocket ?? maybe 300? stalk and even more. how does it weigh 260 kg ???

The missile has a cylindrical body 1,3 m long with a tapered nose fairing. Case diameter - 3 inches (76 mm).
"Martlet" light multipurpose missile, created on the basis of the "Starstrick" MANPADS missile weighs only 13 kg. The weight of a full ammunition load, consisting of 20 missiles (in four cargo baskets of five missiles), will be equal to about 260 kg.

[alekc75]

in article 30mm and not 76 mm !!!

[Reserve buildbat]

I see that what is written does not fit with the photograph of the missiles - indeed, not 30mm caliber, but 76 inches

[Avior]

I wonder if you bought the planes for the aircraft carrier or saved them too?
For a long time, it seems, the Argentines did not take the islands for themselves :)

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Avior

I wonder if you bought the planes for the aircraft carrier or saved them too?

First saved and then paid twice.
In the sense that at first, for the sake of economy, they abandoned the catapult, and then they were forced to buy aircraft from the monopolist (because no one else does SCVVP), which regularly raised the price.

Quote: Avior

For a long time, it seems, the Argentines did not take the islands for themselves :)

For args, the situation is even worse.

[Avior]

And they would have to buy from them anyway, and a catapult and airplanes :)

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Avior

And they would have had to drip from them anyway, and a catapult and planes :)

Catapult - yes. But with the decks, there was already a choice - between the separatist cousins ​​and the occupiers of English Normandy.

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Avior

I wonder if you bought the planes for the aircraft carrier or saved them too?
For a long time, it seems, the Argentines did not take the islands for themselves :)

21 F-35B aircraft are already on the British Navy's list.
Another 6 pieces in 2021 and 8 pieces in 2022.

[Vladimir1155]

the trough will be sunk by the first rocket

[Aleksandr97]

Instead of the 4 Phalanx CIWS anti-aircraft artillery complex, as a result, receive rifle caliber machine guns in the embrasures along the sides of the aircraft carrier Argentina - where are you ?! If they buy aerial bombs, which will still explode, the likelihood of a military discussion of the Falklands problem will not be zero.

[Engineer]

The island of Britain has 2 aircraft carriers, and the largest country in the world has no money to repair one fire victim. And so, yes, it's funny ... machine guns

[ironic]

They and the second aircraft carrier were generally going to build and sell. Strategic mistakes under the pressure of left-liberal populism.

[riwas]

Great Britain is already forced to save on military spending today. So in 10-20 years the USA will have a similar problem.

[Max PV]

And at this time, somewhere in the Middle East, welder Mustafa welds a D-30 to a Toyota, and ponders in detail when ... to make another DShK or a monitor there. Now imagine what he would point to an aircraft carrier :-)

[DeFalco]

Actually, if we reason logically - why does an aircraft carrier need cannons suitable only for shelling boats? He still does not go alone, only accompanied by escort ships.