US Mk15 Phalanx upgrades

The US Mkl5 Phalanx is being upgraded with a thermal imager. Tests are underway, with production deliveries to commence in 1997. This will make the gun more ECM-resistant and will allow it to detect stealthy highspeed targets at longer ranges.

US F-14's LANTIRN

US F-14As. Bs. and Ds are receiving LANTIRN targeting pods, which they will carry on their starboard inlet hardpoint. The combined FLIR/ laser designator will allow them to drop laser-guided ordnance, including the GBU-12, the standard US Navy laserguided bomb.

US Navy Cooperative Engagement Capability

The US Navy is nearly ready to add Cooperative Engagement Capability to its cruisers and carriers, and later to AEW aircraft, destroyers and amphibious ships. Cape St. George and Anzio are already fitted, and Eisenhower will be certified in January of 1997. This data-sharing scheme allows ships with radars on to datalink information to ships which can then fire missiles. This involves much more precise data than is passed by NTDS/CDS. Ships with CEC may fire radar-guided weapons against targets even if their radars are off, or if the targets are over the ship's radar horizon, as long as the targets are held by a CEC-equipped ship.

Russian Yuri Dolgorukiy SSBN

The Russians laid the keel of the new 4th generation SSBN - the Borey class (Project 955) on the 2nd of November at the Severodvinsk shipyard. The first hull, named Yuri Dolgorukiy, has been reported in the Russian press to be similar in appearance to the Delta series and slightly shorter (5 meters) than a Typhoon class SSBN. Yuri Dolgorukiy was a 12th-century Boyar credited with the founding of Moscow in 1147.

BT