[Paul_Denton]

the Virginia class submarine was built with littoral combat in mind. So we have that part down cold.

Did the brits have CIWS (Close In Weapon System) during the Falklands?

[JasonC]

Not on the picket ships that got hit by missiles, no. They had Sea Dart SAMs for air defense, not designed for down to the horizon threats. We are miles better at all of this, with a generation more of technology, starting with phased array radar. Plus improved Standard SAMs, the best jamming in the world, chaff, CIWS and oh airborne early warning etc. Not to mention our ability to hit the shooters at home, which the Brits did not have in the Falklands. It really isn't remotely comparable. The force they sent there is what our Marines amphib groups have, not our carrier battlegroups.

[ChinaThreat]

Good point, there Type42s were retrofitted with CIWS after the Falklands war.

They currently, and since the early 90s, have been using the "Goalkeeper" ciws system. It is a 30mm gatlin gun with 7 barrells.

30MM VULCAN PHALANX (CIWS) (2): The Primary Close in defensive weapon of the Destroyers are the primary defence against inner range aircraft and missiles. The 30mm Cannons are manned by gun crews and are very effective against low flying aircraft.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Missile
SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-Aircraft
RANGE: 1 Mile (1.6 KM)
DAMAGE: 3D6 M.D. per 10 round short burst
RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the controller's number of hand-to-hand attacks. If set on automatic by the Principal Weapons Officer it can fire up to 4 bursts per round.
PAYLOAD: 500 rounds