Quote ” The OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapid is a
lightweight, rapid-fire, dual-purpose gun capable of engaging
airborne and surface targets.”
It is therefore more of an all purpose weapon, but is is not
designed specifically to engage ShShMs, although it has capability
to do so if required. In this sense, it is not a true
CIWS per se unlike Phalanx, Zenith, Meroka , Millenius
which were from the outset designed with the primary purpose of
being true last ditch weapons.
Quote ... "The Oto Melara 76mm naval gun has been primarily
designed for anti-missile and anti-aircraft roles, with
anti-surface warfare (anti-ship) and naval gun support capability a
secondary role."
And so what does my contradictory quote prove? Nothing at all
... it's just Semantics really. At the end of the day does it
matter whether it's a primary or secondary function?
The heart of the matter here is whether the 76 SR can perform the
role of final defense against AShM. If it can do so
competently and effectively, who cares if it is primary, secondary,
dual-purpose or multi-role?
As has been said earlier, the so called dedicated CIWS platforms
like Phalanx, et al. are being superceded by CIGS or SR
Anti-Missile Missiles like SEA-RAM. For a great example, look
no further than the evolution of the Arleigh Burke Class
DDGs. The class started out mounting the Phalanx as the final
protective layer. The most recent evolution, the Flight IIAs
no longer carry the phalanx CIWS, it's been replaced by
SEA-RAM. That's almost 20 ships in the last 8 years.
Take a look around all the new builds coming out of the
shipyards ... they mostly do not carry small calibre CIWS anymore
... Phalanx, et al. may be true CIWS "designed with the primary
purpose of being true last ditch weapons" but that doesn't prevent
them from becoming obsolete or being replaced by multi-role systems
that can do the same and more.
