I was thinking about what might be the ideal SPAAG replacement for the Linebacker. I came up with the idea of a Stryker CIWS (Close In Weapons System) based on the current Phalanx CIWS system. The Stryker would mount a modified version of the CIWS for both ground to air and ground to ground missions. I though the Stryker would be the most suitable chassis due to its speed in getting to the combat zone and off road capability. In addition it is armoured to defeat rounds up to 14.5mm in calibre and has stand-off, anti-RPG grilles. Its pretty well protected for a wheeled IFV.
Primary armament would consist of 2 x 25mm - or if not practical - 2 x current model 20mm Vulcans in a low profile, extensible turret. The CIWS radar would sit between the two guns, giving it a significantly lower profile than current CIWS systems where the radome sits atop the cannon. The tracking and fire control radar would need to be made more compact to give it a lower profile. In addition to fire direction by turret movement and gun directional control, the two guns would be fitted with fine movement actuators where coupled to the turret. These would allow the cannon to be focused on a single small area or spread to deliver a larger window of less dense fire. Outside either gun would be an armoured container (similar to the Bradley TOW) with 2 x Stinger missiles on one side and 2 x HellFire missiles on the other. The missile containers and radome would be proof against small arms fire up to 7.62mm. The missile containers would provide limited protection to the lower section of the radome and the gun movement actuators on either side of the turret. The combination of Stinger and HellFire gives a significant boost to both ground to air and ground to ground capability. The multi-barrel 25mm (or 20mm) guns would be capable of firing AP-T (Armour Piercing/Tracer), HE-I (High Explosive/Incendiary) and HE-F (High Explosive/Fragmentation) rounds. The turret would have two positions: lowered for transport and raised telescopically to give the two guns the full range of elevation and depression required to engage air and ground targets. In ground to air mode the guns are directed into firing position by the turret and gun adjustment mechanisms, and then the by the fine control mechanisms I mentioned earlier. In this mode, the 2 x Stinger missiles give an enhanced shootdown capability. Gun laying for ground to ground mode is identical. The 2 x HellFire missiles carried would be useful for hard targets such as concrete structures, reinforced machine gun positions and so on. The HE-F rounds provide an anti-personnel capability. A full range of day and night optics would be carried. Remaining space within the hull could be used for ferrying combat ready troops. The vehicle would suppress any enemy fire with its powerful offensive weaponary during disembarcation of the infantry.
I figured that this vehicle would be useful to provide close support to troops under mortar attack and/or fighting their way out of an ambush, or making a rapid advance into new territory. The speed and all terrain capability of the Stryker would allow it to provide close support quickly. With its twin 6-barrel gatling guns the Stryker CIWS could quickly lay down withering fire on the enemy and destroy any strong points with HellFire. The concept is similar to the Russian 'Tunguska' but in a faster and more versatile package.
In summary it serves three functions:
(1) Self Propelled Anti-Air Gun and ground to air missile system
(2) Ground to ground fire support vehicle
(3) Infantry carrier
For what its worth, that's my opinion on replacing the Linebacker with a much more capable, multi-role vehicle. Anyone have any thoughts?
Primary armament would consist of 2 x 25mm - or if not practical - 2 x current model 20mm Vulcans in a low profile, extensible turret. The CIWS radar would sit between the two guns, giving it a significantly lower profile than current CIWS systems where the radome sits atop the cannon. The tracking and fire control radar would need to be made more compact to give it a lower profile. In addition to fire direction by turret movement and gun directional control, the two guns would be fitted with fine movement actuators where coupled to the turret. These would allow the cannon to be focused on a single small area or spread to deliver a larger window of less dense fire. Outside either gun would be an armoured container (similar to the Bradley TOW) with 2 x Stinger missiles on one side and 2 x HellFire missiles on the other. The missile containers and radome would be proof against small arms fire up to 7.62mm. The missile containers would provide limited protection to the lower section of the radome and the gun movement actuators on either side of the turret. The combination of Stinger and HellFire gives a significant boost to both ground to air and ground to ground capability. The multi-barrel 25mm (or 20mm) guns would be capable of firing AP-T (Armour Piercing/Tracer), HE-I (High Explosive/Incendiary) and HE-F (High Explosive/Fragmentation) rounds. The turret would have two positions: lowered for transport and raised telescopically to give the two guns the full range of elevation and depression required to engage air and ground targets. In ground to air mode the guns are directed into firing position by the turret and gun adjustment mechanisms, and then the by the fine control mechanisms I mentioned earlier. In this mode, the 2 x Stinger missiles give an enhanced shootdown capability. Gun laying for ground to ground mode is identical. The 2 x HellFire missiles carried would be useful for hard targets such as concrete structures, reinforced machine gun positions and so on. The HE-F rounds provide an anti-personnel capability. A full range of day and night optics would be carried. Remaining space within the hull could be used for ferrying combat ready troops. The vehicle would suppress any enemy fire with its powerful offensive weaponary during disembarcation of the infantry.
I figured that this vehicle would be useful to provide close support to troops under mortar attack and/or fighting their way out of an ambush, or making a rapid advance into new territory. The speed and all terrain capability of the Stryker would allow it to provide close support quickly. With its twin 6-barrel gatling guns the Stryker CIWS could quickly lay down withering fire on the enemy and destroy any strong points with HellFire. The concept is similar to the Russian 'Tunguska' but in a faster and more versatile package.
In summary it serves three functions:
(1) Self Propelled Anti-Air Gun and ground to air missile system
(2) Ground to ground fire support vehicle
(3) Infantry carrier
For what its worth, that's my opinion on replacing the Linebacker with a much more capable, multi-role vehicle. Anyone have any thoughts?
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