Short answer - yes. Almost short answer - unless you fired alot more than one.

You're missing an important point...how would the JDAm or JSOW know where the target is if the CIWS is on a MOVING ship. NG is playing around with AMSTE to enable targeting of moving targets and did tests recently, but this hypothetical engagement has a fatal flaw in the supposition.

"NG is playing around with AMSTE to enable targeting of moving targets and did tests recently," It's more than playing around, it's about ready for use. The JDAM and many of our other newer systems (TACTOM,AMRAAM-D) are designed to take updates on the GPS coordinates of the target. Works against vehicles including tanks up to 50MPH.

First off, I do not agree that it is almost ready for use, but it certainly promising. The tests off Hawaii were very convincing, but you have to make it a program of record, have the appropriate AMSTE standoff platform that will send the updates and have the weapons data link installed in the weapons to receive same. What AMSTE does is not the same as your reference to TACTOM or AMRAAM D. Sending GPS updates is one thing, but AMRAAM still uses its terminal seeker for guidance. The updates simply substitute for the commands that the launch platform would normally send as geospatial coordinates in reference to itself and GPS was introduced because that off platform source can't provide it that way (Isuppose Tom Clancty should take partial credit for concept...see "A Debt of Honor"). AMSTE is really slick to be able to have update rate and precision necessary to provide TERMINAL guidance against a moving ground or surface target at sea and that is why it has garnered significant attention. It isn't that this is one of your "crash and burn" ideas (I read your C-130J MMA post just now...LOL x2), it's just there are really specific technical concepts and issues at play here so you just haven't got sufficent takeoff speed yet. I have been watching AMSTE with great interest as have others, but I don't think you've got the total concept here.

Glad you enjoy my "crash and burn" ideas. Shows an open mind on your part. Actually the AMSTE is not particularly complicated in principle. It's just a steady stream of updates using the data link kit on the JDAM (or any other weapon system using GPS targetting data such as TACTOM and AMRAAM-D). It's not brain surgery. There are many sources for that data not just a JSTAR, could come from a ship or from a grunt in the field. With the success we've seen already it's fairly far along the development curve. The real value in these systems is that they are stealthy. The longer the AMRAAM holds of using it's radar the greater the chance of a kill.

Oh, I am always open-minded, but also very pragmatic when it comes to trying to innovate and accelerate new technology. Believe me, I am fully aware of priciples of AMSTE (I work in this area and am close with AMSTE lead...we served together twice in past and he called me when he first started playing with it). But as simple as it can be demonstrated, no JDAM or JSOW sitting in magazines can receive the signal whether it is derived from JSARS, Global hawk or someone hiding in the weeds. That is why it's not "just around the corner" in terms of introduction. They are are equipped with the original kit that takes on coordinates prior to launch and goes within 13m (given certain DOP parameters are present). I am wincing at your characterization of "these systems" as being stealthy. maybe LPI is more appropriate. You're out of ground effect now, just need a bit more altitude. Cheers, HJ

Considering the plethora of absurd (and I'd say insipid) threads around here about "US Invades Britain" or "F-22 vs. Eurofighter" you really seem to be jumping on this case over a debate about whether it could happen tomorrow or two years from now or five years. If you can't wrap your brain around the intent behind the question, then how about we all agree to broaden the topic to include the GBU-10s that a B-52 dropped, as well as the GBU-31s. We know CIWS (Phalanx,RAM, etc.) can protect a ship from anti-ship cruise missiles. How effective are they/could they be at preventing damage to the ship from precision guided bombs like LGBs and JDAMs (assuming for some reason they're coming down in the vicinity of the ship)? Displacedjim

Assuming you can target, then we're in realm of announcing to the world how to beat CIWS so I'm out of it. As to wrapping my brain around question, plenty of threads make wild departures from original question...and you have been smack dab in the middle of many of them form your armchair. This will be my last post then since you don't seem to appreciate the intent of my replies to focus on the technical and programmatic issues that I was highlighting. AMSTE is a DARPA funded effort with service interest. The proof of concepts work, BUT it is not a program of record and is a showstopper that tie sback to the original question. i wouldn't have said a thing if the original question was an LGB. Seeya

To you directly, displacedjim. Since Strategy page has no PM feature that I am aware of, you can meet me in personal side of ACIG.org or Combatedge and I'll tell you what I really think.

Ummm..., okay. I just signed up on ACIG under "displacedjim" Fire away, hero. Displacedjim