 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2008) |
| Goalkeeper CIWS | |
|---|---|
 A Goalkeeper CIWS on a British Invincible-class aircraft carrier firing at a target | |
| Type | Close-in weapon system |
| Place of origin | Netherlands |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1980–present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Signaal (now Thales Nederland) |
| Designed | 1975 |
| Manufacturer | Thales Naval Netherlands |
| Produced | 1979 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6,372 kg (14,048 lb) with 1,190 rds of ammunition (above deck); 9,902 kg (21,830 lb) (total). |
| Height | 3.71 m (above deck) 6.2 m (including deck penetration). |
| Crew | Automated, with human oversight |
| Shell | 30×173mm TP, HEI, MPDS, or FMPDS |
| Caliber | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Barrels | 7-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 14 grooves) |
| Elevation | +85 to −25 degrees at 80 degree/s |
| Traverse | Unlimited |
| Rate of fire | 70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute) |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,109 m/s (MPDS round) |
| Effective firing range | 350 to between 1,500 and 2,000 metres dependent on ammunition |
Main armament | 1 x 30 mm (1.2 in) GAU-8/A Avenger seven-barrel rotary cannon |
The Goalkeeper CIWS is a Dutch close-in weapon system (CIWS) introduced in 1979. It is an autonomous and completely automatic weapon system for short-range defence of ships against highly maneuverable missiles, aircraft and fast-maneuvering surface vessels. Once activated the system automatically undertakes the entire air defence process from surveillance and detection to destruction, including the selection of the next priority target.