I just watched a documentary on the Aberdeen Proving Grounds and it showed a test conducted by the US Navy to protect ships against antiship missiles. It involved setting off an explosive charge to raise a huge wall of water that would deflect or detonate incoming missiles. The clip showed a missile disappearing into the wall of water w/c prevented impact with the target vessel. The documentary went on to say that the test validated the concept and that the USN was continuing to study it.
I’m curious if this ever led to any program to actually develop and deploy such a defensive system? Also, how practical and workable would it really be?
By: jackehammond - 19th December 2008 at 07:16
Folks,
This is a 1930s idea to deal with torpedo bombers. It didn’t work in practice during WW2.
Jack E. Hammond
.
By: mabie - 22nd November 2008 at 14:57
Seems like a great idea so far, but I wonder if it works well when protecting moving targets. By the way, could you tell me which documentary was that? I’d love to see the actual water barrier form.
Watched it on the History Channel. It was just one among many examples, mostly non-military, showing how products are tested for safety, effectiveness, etc.. also had some footage of work done by Underwriter’s Labs.. sorry can’t recall the title.
Going back to the water barrier, I was thinking that it probbably wouldn’t work against missiles that do a pop-up maneuver just before impact.. but I still think the concept has merit.. who knows, maybe it might have some effectiveness against torpedo attacks..
By: YourFather - 22nd November 2008 at 13:30
That’s the Water Barrier Ship Self Defense System, whose program .pdf has been sitting in my comp since 2001. It’s an interesting idea so I’ve been looking out for it since then, but no news. So I presume there must be some practical deficiencies to this system, or the system doesn’t bring enough benefit to justify its cost. Touted as a last ditch defense when threats reach 300 ft from the ship, advantages claimed include non-interference with RAM engagements and non-degradation of CIWS cumulative Pk. It’s supposedly effective for a number of seconds and in ‘simulated sea states’.
Seems like a great idea so far, but I wonder if it works well when protecting moving targets. By the way, could you tell me which documentary was that? I’d love to see the actual water barrier form.
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November 22, 2008 at 12:38 pm