![]() ![]() NTDS ships relayed track data over radio-teletype circuits to non-NTDS ships to help them find targets. The ship broadcasted this information to the rest of the force in her Link-11 broadcasts. The newer SH-6oB Seahawk helicopters transmitted contact data as NTDS computer symbols over a point-to-point pencil beam data link to the ship. The SH-2F Seasprite helicopter proved highly useful for antiship surveillance and targeting missions but could report sightings only by UHF voice radio. One ship, the network controller, polled the other NTDS ships in turn.Ī polled ship's NTDS computer automatically broadcasted updated contact data on all tracks for which that ship was responsible.Īll NTDS ships in the network recorded the track data broadcasts.ĪSW and radar sentry AWACS) aircraft participated in the NTDS data network. NTDS-equipped ships in the operation passed these contacts data to each other over the Link-11 radio data link network.Įach NTDS ship transmitted contact data as computer display symbols showing the target type (surface, air, submarine), target identity if known and identity of the ship or aircraft tracking it. The ship's CIC used Command and Decision System (CDS) computers' contact data to prioritized contacts by threat and designated weapons systems to specific targets. It had automatic input of navigation (LORAN) fixes, the pit log (for speed), gyrocompass and anemometer. It enabled the ship to manage combat more effectively. NTDS was vital for keeping accurate tracks of contacts to avoid "blue-on-blue" disasters. ![]() Planning a fight through displays of combat information is essential to victory. Microwave ESM could detect foreign surface radar signals at 45-60 miles and some air search radar signals at 80 nautical miles. Microwave ESM looked at the external characteristics of foreign radar signals such as radio frequency and pulse-repetition frequency intercepts and were an extremely important source for identifying hostile activity and were likely to be the first and often only means to classify an enemy unit such as a submarine beyond sonar range. The ship evaluated contacts, Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) tracked and used electronic support measures (ESM) data to decide whether to fire.ĮSM supported defensive threat warning, long-range situation awareness and over-the-horizon targeting (OTH-T) for cruise missiles and tactical air strikes. The missiles were stored and fired from the canisters at a fixed angle. Were fitted to the ship, each Mk.141 launcher holding a cluster of four All-Up-Round (AURs) in ceramic armoured canister launchers. ![]() Two complete Harpoon systems, consisting of four Mk.141 launchers with sixteen RGM-84 missiles It was envisaged at first as an air and surface-ship weapon, but also replaced the proposed submarine missile, STAM studies of an encapsulated version for torpedo tube launch began in 1972.ĭuring her reactivation, Iowa received the RGM-84 Harpoon cruise missile system that gave the ship a long-range strike capability against surface targets. Technical evaluation was completed in June 1975, delayed by some extent by small system problems however, Harpoon was operationally evaluated in 1977, production beginning that year. Requests for quotation were issued in January 1971, a prime contractor (McDonnell Douglas) being selected that June, without flyoff, given the cost and urgency of the program. The canister launcher avoids intrusion into AAW and ASW weapon capacity at a relatively low cost in ship space and weight. It did not materially reduce shipboard resources already provided for major naval missions such as antiair and antisubmarine warfare. Navy's answer to the massive Soviet force of anti-ship missile ships.īegun under the FY68 program as a 50nm anti-ship missile, suitable for air platforms but by 1970 extended to ship launch, to increase US anti-ship missile firepower to make up for the declining strength of the carrier force.Īs procured it did not require a dedicated launcher although in many cases one was provided. NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive Harpoon Please Take A Moment To Let Us Know So That We Can Correct Any Problems And Make Your Visit As Enjoyable And As Informative As Possible. Please Report Any Broken Links Or Trouble You Might Come Across To The Webmaster. ![]()
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