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'Big E'Combat Systems Take Aim

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100823-07
8/23/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristin M. Baker, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- As USS Enterprise (CVN 65) continues working through its Tailored Ship's Training Availability toward the Final Evaluation Period (FEP) for a deployable status Aug. 16, the Close-In Weapons System, or CIWS has proven its worth.

Combat Systems department's CS-7 division, responsible for the maintenance, and running of the two CIWS mounts aboard Enterprise, took aim at a "Towed Drone Unit" (TDU) that was trailing behind a Learjet, Aug. 15. The TDU target was successfully detected, tracked and engaged.

This test simulates an incoming missile to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of CIWS.

"The purpose of this test is to make sure that all the checks are in the box for CIWS," said Chief Fire Controlman (SW/AW) Annquinetta C. Moss, leading chief petty officer for CS-7. "Mounts 23 and 24 must be able to track a live target, detect the target, and engage the target successfully in order to pass this evaluation."

During the course of this underway period, hundreds of man-hours have been logged conducting maintenance, and running tests in preparation for the FEP of the CIWS mounts.

"All of our hard work has finally paid off," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Justin Foat, a CIWS tech for CS-7. "Even though we have passed the FEP for CIWS, we still have a lot of work to do in order to surpass the standard we set for ourselves with the TDU shoot."

Enterprise has two CIWS mounts. These weapons systems are mostly stand-alone systems, only requiring electrical power from the ship in order to function. Each gun mount is radar-guided and shoots a 20 millimeter tungsten penetrator round at 75 rounds per second.

Each month, both mounts undergo the Pre-action Aim Calibration (PAC) fire maintenance check. The PAC-fire involves shooting each mount in short bursts of 100-150 rounds and is used to calibrate the firing systems by zeroing out the barrels and making sure there is a tight grouping when fired.

The successful completion of the TDU shoot is the culmination of the hard work of all personnel in CS-7.

Enterprise is at sea conducting work-ups in preparation for its 21st deployment.