WEAPON STUDY
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ANNEX E TO
NSR 7015 SUPPORTING PAPER
1.
Introduction.
This Annex provides a synopsis of the Weapons Study which was
aimed at defining and assessing a suitable system for the replacement Hong Kong
Patrol Craft (HKPC), in response to NST 7015. The Study took six months to complete
and cost £20K. These costs were charged to NSR 6681 (paragraph 2a refers).
2. Background
a.
Although the HKPC and OPV each has a wide variety of tasks in differing
scenarios, they have a similar 'gun' requirement primarily for use in
the anti-surface role. It was considered, therefore, that it should be
possible to meet the requirement with the same gun and fire control system
in both classes. This joint requirement was investigated under NSR 6681.
b. The operational requirements for the Hong Kong Patrol Craft weapon
system were defined in the NST as follows:
(1) The gun and fire control system must be capable of accurate
surface fire against a variety of targets, ranging from small fast
boats to fishing vessels, junks and possibly Chinese minor security
vessels.
(2) The range for accurate fire should be out to a reasonable
visual signalling/identification range assessed as 4-5000 yards,
with 6000 yards being desirable. Although desirable, a blind fire
capability was not essential. The system should, however, have a
night time or 'dark fire' capability.
(3) The system should be capable of graduated response from solid
shot aimed clear of the vessel to HE type ammunition aimed to
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