Goalkeeper CIWS

[seadude]

Just curious, but does the Royal Navy still use the Goalkeeper CIWS on some ships anymore or not? Is the Goalkeeper still in use or is it being phased out and replaced by the Phalanx? If the RN isn't using Goalkeeper anymore, then why? What was the reason?

[lenny100]

the RN phased out goalkeeper with the last of the invincible class, The reason i believe is because phalanx does not relay take up that much room, goalkeeper had a large room under the mount were the crew reloaded the mount, and i know from experience it a dam uncomfortable and cramped room when the ship is closed down at action stations,

[Weaver]

IIRC, the Goalkeeper buys were part of some quid-pro-quo arrangement with the Netherlands, but I can't remember the details.

They were used on the Type 22 Batch 3, Illustrious and Ark Royal, but they're all gone now. The only current users are the LPDs Albion and Bulwark.

I suspect that Phalanx was preferred for the Type 45s due to it's smaller swept volume, the CIWS being side-mounted on those ships. A similar argument might have influenced the choice for the aircraft carriers. It might also be the case that the RN likes the fact that continuing USN work provides a future upgrade path for Phalanx.

[DarrenP2]

basically the royal navy lik phalanx as it can be bolted to a deck plugged in and played effectivly it doesn't penetrate the deck like Goalkeeper does.

[Burncycle]

Goalkeeper has a bolt on containerized version without deck penetration as well, though no buyers that I'm aware of.

Cost, size, weight, swept area, muzzle blast and probably a whole host of other considerations also come into play though.