This 1960s U.S. Navy film (MN-11478-A) in an introduction to the Mk 86 ship gun fire-control system. The film opens with a ship sailing at sea, and viewers see a Mk 45 gun mount on the bow of the deck. The 5-inch/54-caliber gun fires several rounds. Operators man the fire control systems in the fire control room (01:28). The film shows the hardware for the system, including two antennas, radars, two television cameras for sighting (02:34), and the Mk 45 gun mounts. Illustrations are used to show how the different computer systems interface with each other (03:23). The film shows the TWS radar (04:07) and its transmitter and receiver unit, then the film shows the Air Track Radar AN/SPG-60 and its equipment transmitter, receiver, antenna control, signal data converter, and remote optical sighting camera (04:30). Viewers see the high-speed general purpose stored-program computer and the unit-supported data processing unit (05:30). System fires one of the guns (06:10). The film then shows the responsibilities of the COC Operator during Surface Radar Mode of the Mk 86 system (06:50). The COC operator sits at his console and orders an “engage of target.” He manipulates the track ball on the console, pushes the “ball enter” button, then enters the coordinates of the target. There is a good shot of the control panel with displays, buttons and switches, including “target range,” “bearing,” gun mount status indicators, “arc of fire” switch, and the “gun assign” switches. The GCC operator mans his console, pushing the “wind direction” push button. The GCC operator checks the target data readouts (10:56). The COC Operator gives the GCC control of the gun; the “Ballistics Solution” indicator is green on the GCC console. The gun mount moves on deck (12:00).
The GCC Operator pushes the foot fire switch to fire the gun. The GCC Operator marks the shell splash radar return impact position on his monitor (12:52), then he uses a joystick to relocate the tracking target with spot corrector. The GCC Operator fires the gun on continuous load mode (13:47). He pushes the “Target Kill” button, then flips the “Cease Fire” switch. The film then shows the firing procedures for Air Action Mode with the AN/SPG-60. An illustration is used to show the different units and trackers for Air Action Mode (16:00). At the GCC2 console, the operator engages the computer-controlled radar tracking of the target. The operator listens to doppler audio to monitor the tracking. The gun fires in Air Action Mode (17:56). The film then reviews Grid Mode procedures, and viewers see an illustration that shows how the system fires on a shore target (18:30), the COC operator as he adjusts the “GCC assign control” and “Grid Select” knob, and the GCC operator as he puts the remote optical sight in automatic mode and then enters ballistic and ammunition data into the console. The GCC Operator fires the Mk 45 to complete the firing sequence (20:32). The film briefly covers TDT Mode (22:00), as two men on deck track a target visually and select the range for firing, as well as the non-tactical modes of the Mk 86 (Navigation Mode and Test Mode). The film concludes with systems operators manning their consoles and communicating while operating the Mk 86.
Ship gun fire-control systems (GFCS) are fire-control systems to enable remote and automatic targeting of guns against surface ships, aircraft, and shore targets, with either optical or radar sighting.
Most US ships that are destroyers or larger (but not destroyer escorts or escort carriers) employed GFCS for 5-inch and larger guns, up to battleships, such as the USS Iowa. Beginning with ships built in the 1960s, GFCSs were integrated with missile fire-control systems and other ship sensors.
The US Navy desired a digital gun fire-control system in 1961 for more accurate shore bombardment. Lockheed Electronics produced a prototype with AN/SPQ-9 radar fire control in 1965. An air defense requirement delayed production with the AN/SPG-60 until 1971. The Mk 86 did not enter service until when the nuclear-powered missile cruiser was commissioned in February 1974, and subsequently installed on US cruisers and amphibious assault ships. The last US ship to receive the system, USS Port Royal was commissioned in July 1994. The Mk 86 on Aegis-class ships controls the ship’s 5″/54 caliber Mk 45 gun mounts, and can engage up to two targets at a time.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
