The Royal Netherlands Navy’s first Goalkeeper close-in weapon system (CIWS), upgraded with the upkeep modifications, has successfully completed sea acceptance trials (SATs).
The SATs on the Goalkeeper system were carried out on-board the naval ship HNLMS Johan de Witt.
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The series of tests were carried out with air targets. Tests included the detection, tracking and elimination of Kinetiq Banshee propeller and jet drones with traditional and modern inbound attack flight paths.
In order to aim surface targets, the same procedure was followed using Kinetiq Sprite II drones.
The upkeep modification was contracted in 2012. It is expected to improve the performance of the Goalkeeper CIWS and enable the system to be operational with the Netherlands Navy for several years to come.
This will support the Royal Netherlands Navy’s aim to protect its crew members and vessels during overseas deployments.
The modifications comprises new algorithms and advanced electro-optic tracking capabilities, which provide the Goalkeeper system with the ability to tackle any kind of threats, including modern, evasive manoeuvering air threats with a complex trajectory.
Developed by Thales, the Goalkeeper CIWS is incorporated with a 30mm, seven-barrel Gatling gun with special missile-piercing ammunition. It can be used to carry out the entire process from surveillance and detection to destruction, including selecting the next priority target.
The CIWS was first developed in the 1980s. To date, a total of 63 Goalkeeper systems have been delivered to several navies across Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
