High-Speed Maneuvering Surface Threat (HSMST)

Tim Barron · Post by **Tim Barron** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:37 pm

070813-N-1229B-044 PACFIC OCEAN (Aug. 13, 2007) - One of four RIM-7 NATO Sea Sparrow missiles launched from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) impacts a High-Speed Maneuvering Surface Threat (HSMST), a remote controlled Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) during a stream raid shoot exercise. Lincoln and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 are underway off the coast of Southern California conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Bonafede (RELEASED)

Obviously, this is more of a photo op. But is this our primary defense mechanism against speed boats?

Some countries, like Iran, are touting they have hundreds of speed boats. In the cold war, the F-14 was designed as "defender of the fleet" to take out multiple targets simultaneously. I guess the worry in my head is what about the scenario of 10, 20, 30+ speed boats?

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:11 pm

Don't you think the M-2 .50cal machine gun which is deployed as a pintle mounted gun aboard all USN warships is sufficient for targets a mile or so off?

Most ships can bring at least 2 such guns to bear on any quarter.

Post by **Timmy C** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:21 pm

I'm more fascinated with the smoke trail of the missile...more maneuverable than I thought.

Filipe Ramires · Post by **Filipe Ramires** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:02 pm

Werner wrote:Most ships can bring at least 2 such guns to bear on any quarter.

You can always make use of the Phalanx if you don't think the 50 cal. are fast enough for the job.

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:34 pm

I think most of the US ships in the Persian Gulf also mount the 25mm Bushmaster cannon. I believe that the USN keeps them in a pool and they are fitted to ships when they arrive in the Gulf and removed when the ship leaves. The mounts are then installed in the next ship to arrive.

I think the ships are as well protected as they can reasonably be with Standard, Sea Sparrow, RAM, 5 inch, Phalanx, 25mm, 50 cal, small arms, etc. I don't think there is any ship in any navy that can deal with 30+ small speedboats at one time.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:49 pm

Mac wrote:I think the ships are as well protected as they can reasonably be with Standard, Sea Sparrow, RAM, 5 inch, Phalanx, 25mm, 50 cal, small arms, etc. I don't think there is any ship in any navy that can deal with 30+ small speedboats at one time.

No, but the situation would probably evolve slowly enough to request some aircraft from a nearby CVN.

scratchshipnut · Post by **scratchshipnut** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:38 pm

Maybe that marine detachment has some tow missles? Couldnt you just do lockers and mounts and use those?

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:10 am

I'm sure they have evolved several small-boat solutions since Cole.

Filipe Ramires · Post by **Filipe Ramires** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:46 am

Werner wrote:I'm sure they have evolved several small-boat solutions since Cole.

Yes but 30 or plus boats is a bit overhelming!? Nevertheless they can always take a look in some 60 old battle reports that did show how to deal with Shinyo suicide boats in great numbers.