Stormbringer CIWS

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Stormbringer CIWS
Stormbringer Mk-III unit onboard HIvMS Hestia (FBB-58)
Type	Close-in weapon system
Place of origin	Illusia and Neverendia
Service history
In service	2046–present
Used by	Illuverendian Navy (2046–2047) Royal Illuverendian Navy
Production history
Designer	Takanashi Weapons Laboratory (Mk-I/II) Valhallerens Heavy Industries (Mk-III/IV)
Designed	2044
Manufacturer	Takanashi Weapons Laboratory (2046-2050) Valhallerens Heavy Industries (2050-present)
Produced	2046–present
Variants	Maelstrom C-RAM
Specifications
Weight	6,750 kg (14,880 lb) above deck; 9,875 kg (21,771 lb) total
Height	3.6 m (12 ft) above deck; 5.8 m (19 ft) including deck penetration
Crew	Automated, with human oversight
Shell	30×173mm TP, HEI, MPDS, or FMPDS
Calibre	30 mm
Barrels	Mk-I/III: 8-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 16 grooves) Mk-II/IV: 11-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 22 grooves)
Elevation	+50 to −20 degrees
Traverse	Unlimited
Rate of fire	Mk-I/III: 80 rounds/second (4800 rounds/minute) Mk-II/IV: 110 rounds/second (6600 rounds/minute)
Muzzle velocity	1,190 m/s (3,900 ft/s) (MPDS round)
Effective firing range	450 to 2,500 m (490 to 2,730 yd) dependent on ammunition
Main armament	Mk-I: 1 x Takanashi RC-140 30 mm eight-barrel rotary cannon Mk-II: 1 x Takanashi RC-141 30 mm eleven-barrel rotary cannon Mk-III: 1 x Valhallerens GMF-7 30 mm eight-barrel rotary cannon Mk-IV: 1 x Valhallerens GMF-9 30 mm eleven-barrel rotary cannon

The Stormbringer CIWS is an Illuverendian close-in weapon system introduced in 2046. It is an autonomous and completely automatic weapon system for short-range defence of Royal Illuverendian Navy ships, may it be highly manoeuvrable missiles, small watercraft, aircraft, or fast-manoeuvring surface vessels. The Stormbringer CIWS was initially designed and produced by Takanashi Weapons Laboratory, but after its absorption along the entirety of Takanashi Logistics into Valhallerens Heavy Industries in 2050, VHI facilitates the designing and production of the system.

Development

Under TWL (2044-2050)

Development of the Stormbringer CIWS began in 2044. The Guardian Angel CIWS, which had been the mainstay close-in weapon system of the Stratocracy's navy, proved to be lacking in performance. The Stratocratic Clique sought to Takanashi Weapons Laboratory and ordered them to manufacture a new type of close-in weapon system that was more compact and able to house the Takanashi RC-140 rotary cannon without sacrificing any parts – which was the problem that propagated and cut the Guardian Angel CIWS's lifespan.

The Archangel prototype mockup as released by TWL in late 2044

Several months after TWL was commissioned, they produced a mockup of the Archangel prototype CIWS unit, utilising a full-on RC-140 rotary cannon, and with a prototype tracking radar and IFF. The process of creating an actual and functioning Archangel unit took until mid-2045, where it was tested inland. While the design proved worthy, more improvement was required. At the same time, Takanashi Logistics was suffering from low worker morale, thanks to the instability of the late Stratocracy era.

In December of that same year, the last Archangel prototype went into for its ultimate test. Mounted onboard an Illuverendian Navy ship, a risky live fire test was conducted. The Archangel prototype utilised a rangefinder and an FLIR system. After proving to be successful, the final prototype was selected for production. It was given the name Stormbringer because of its rapid-firing capabilities, and also to the legendary Neverendian warrior, Matthew Triton, 2nd Marquis Triton, which was known as the Stormbringer of Lusanne (Santhean: Lusen, Illusian: Luschen). Triton got his moniker after successfully taking the town of Lusanne in modern-day Santhea during a fierce tempest.

After the approval of the Mk-I for general production in 2046, TWL did not stop yet. The Archangel Mk 2 came into development in mid-2046, utilising a prototype of the Takanashi RC-141 rotary cannon. While it bore no difference to the original production model, the RC-141 was an eleven-barrel rotary cannon, further maximising the capability of the Stormbringer as a close-in weapon system. Development was completely hampered, however, on the ascension of Alyssa, which caused several changes in Takanashi Logistics and around Illuverendia itself. TWL perfected the Archangel Mk 2 as the Stormbringer Mk 2 in 2048, and entered into service in the Royal Illuverendian Navy.

Under VHI (2050-present)

A Mk IV unit onboard a Chatham class frigate. Note high elevation and the ASM-52 Stingray missile launcher on the side.

Rapid changes spearheaded by the new Illuverendian government signaled the end of TWL's iron hand over the arms industry of the country. The rise of Valhallerens Group of Companies as an emerging defence contractor along with other new ones that served as a biproduct of the rapid economic reforms meant that Takanashi Logistics hit rock bottom. Azusa Takanashi then sold off Takanashi Logistics to Annika Valhallerens, and this saw TWL being absorbed into Valhallerens Heavy Industries, which specialised on the company's arms industry wing.

The development of the Stormbringer CIWS under the hands of VHI saw an entire overhaul of the system. VHI designers and Annika herself, which specialised in technology, found several flaws in the existing system that were overlooked by TWL. This prompted VHI to recall all Stormbringer Mk-I and Mk-II units in the Royal Illuverendian Navy. The Stormbringer Mk-III was created as a replacement to the Mk-I, and saw the removals of other "useless" features, and further improvement on the fire control system. The RC-140 was also dropped in favour of the Valhallerens GMF-7 rotary cannon, which had a practical design and build.

Development continued when VHI created the Mk-IV variant, which was a revisioning of the former Mk-II unit. The Mk-IV unit, much like the Mk-II, utilised an eleven-barrel rotary cannon. However, the RC-141 was replaced with the Valhallerens GMF-9, incorporating the practical build and design of the GMF-7, albeit with more barrels (11 over 8).

Variants

Maelstrom C-RAM

Main article: Maelstrom C-RAM

Operators

Current operators

Illusia and Neverendia:

• Royal Illuverendian Navy
  • Abydos-class guided missile cruisers (Mk-IV)
  • Albemarle-class battleships (Mk-III)
  • Gungnir-class fast battleships (Mk-III)
  • Hestia-class fast battleships (Mk-III)
  • Icarus-class cruisers (Mk-IV)
  • Osmanthus-class fast battleships (Mk-III)
  • Morgenthau-class battlecruisers (Mk-III)
  • Nereides-class cruisers (Mk-IV)
  • Revenge-class cruisers (Mk-III)
  • Ruby Scarlett-class guided missile cruisers (Mk-IV)
  • Type 36 destroyers (Mk-III)
  • Type 45 frigates (Mk-III)
  • Type 47 frigates (Mk-IV)
  • White Plains-class aircraft carriers (Mk-IV)

Former operators

Illusia and Neverendia:

• Illuverendian Army
• Illuverendian Navy

See also

• Talisman AAPDS