Meroka CIWS

'' (R-11) in 2004. One of the four MEROKA turrets mounted on each side can be seen Unlike a rotary cannon, the Meroka CIWS uses individual guns firing in salvos or simultaneously; the barrels are purposely skewed in order to expand the impact area. The guns are mounted in an enclosed automatic turret and are directed by radar or an optronic thermal controlling system. The original version of the Meroka CIWS was directed by a separate off-mount radar system. This was later changed to an on-mount Lockheed Electronics PVS-2 Sharpshooter I-band radar. The radar is designed to acquire targets at , with the Meroka achieving first impact at and destruction of the target at . Later versions included an optronic targeting system, as a backup in high electronic jamming conditions. More recent modifications included an Israeli designed IR tracker and other electronic devices of Spanish design supplied by Indra Sistemas. == Specifications ==

• Gun: 12 × Oerlikon 20 mm/120. • Weight: . • Elevation: -15° to +85°. • Traverse: 360°. • Muzzle velocity: . • Rate of fire: 1,440 rounds per minute cyclic (for all twelve barrels). • Ammunition: Fixed (APDS-T) 720 rounds in a magazine, 60 rounds per barrel. • Weapons range: Effective range with APDS-T (0.102 kg with sabot), roughly 1,500–2,000 meters. • Search and track systems: Lockheed Electronics PVS-2 Sharpshooter I-band radar, Indra Thermal Imager. == See also ==