British patrol ship sinks ‘massive red killer tomato’

The Royal Navy use a wide range of weapons training devices and simulators to train its personnel on various weapon systems, including firearms, missiles, and torpedoes.

Everyday is a good day for gunnery, but today… 👌

Getting our gunners back in date and proving the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun is a vital part of our regeneration.

Killer Tomatoes: Destroyed 🍅💥#ASCG#GunneryisFunnery pic.twitter.com/ExpDIgbsqQ

— HMS Trent (@HMSTrent) June 1, 2023

The inflatable target utilised for target practice during naval operations is colloquially referred to as the "Killer Tomato."

Its name is attributed to its resemblance to a large tomato.

These training devices are designed to provide realistic scenarios and simulations to help personnel develop the skills and knowledge necessary to operate the weapons systems effectively and safely.

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Are the elite Splash Target Coxwains still around? 😆

LOL, I remember that con well. Never failed to get a laugh👍👍 the young stoker being sent down to the wrens mess to see if they had any fallopian tubes to fix the water on the bridge wipers was the best wind up I heard since the Time a seaman taped two coke cans together with the word bomb written on it.sending the ship to emergency stations. In the middle of FOST.off Portland he was never seen again!

Yes mate. Part of SF group that lot….based in Poole.

If these 30mm cannons fire remotely is there a need for a seat? Some models of these have dual feeds with as n additional ammunition box and if I am not wrong on the Thai Arambi River type class. Looks like the MSI Seahawk 30mm RWS might go onto the three FSS shops too.

Reversionary control is why the seat is there. Video also nicely illustrates the stabilisation of the weapon against ship movement.

Thanks Ian. Silly question, but are those spent cartridges ever recycled?

Hi Quentin, Well, I’m not an Armourer but when we finished on the ranges we had to pick up all of our "brass", bag it up and into a truck and I’m aware of sports shooters who reload spent cases as they’re quite expensive. I’m sure Gunbuster or another weapons SME can enlighten us. BTW, you can see the coir matting around the gun mount to save the deck paint! Cheers Ian

Thanks again. I was wondering if there's ever a recycle and refill and go again program. Yes that coir looks a bit rough underfoot Not something you’d have in your living room for sure!

Ships…lol 😁

👍

Clearly more of the aliens from the movie "Dark Star" 🍅

Thought they were taking about geordie lasses on a night out. Now that's a bug red killer tomato.

The USN is starting to upgrade to these 30mm MSI mounts that the RN has been using for years now. I think the US spec uses a different EO/IR sight than the RN, but I’m not certain. The US nomenclature for this gun system is MK38 MOD 4. The current US system is the smaller 25mm MK38 MOD3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQCUX34tP-c

Aren't QE and PoW supposed to have four of these each? The sponsons are prominent but no sign of the guns, I’d of thought one of the many lessons of Ukraine was the rise of USV. Be a shame to lose a £3 Bn aircraft carrier to £100,000 worth of drone. Admiral Lord West wrote recently to the Telegraph saying just as much.

Sorry, I’m the wrong guy to ask about the QE class, I’m an American:) I’d love to know the answer to your question though, they are fascinating and capable ships. The QEs do seem to have the lightest defensive armament of contemporary aircraft carrier classes, but that is up to the RN to decide of course.

They were but now won't. Bean counting as usual.

Criminal irresponsability, they’re our biggest & most expensive warships & this is a most basic capability we fit to even RFA & patrol boats. Though I’d prefer a dual(AA as well as anti small boat) effective gun rather than these slow firing guns.

As always in the red tomato steaks we’re always playing ketchup….

The rate of fire can be increased.

I’ve only read these Bushmasters can do 100 to 200rpm, wheras 600-1100+rpm is required for AAA, the higher preferably. Hence when the light AAA station was occupied by Bushmasters for the first time several decades ago, AA capability was reduced.

They would be fitted pretty much over night if ship was being deployed into a hot zone, and the RN really thought they needed them. Better still, let the escorts do the job they are purpose built for, and the carrier's primary weapon systems. Aircraft. Nothing moves within 500miles + without the carrier group being aware of it.

Whatever anyone says this annoys me. I have seen pictures of the British Pacific Fleet defending against air attack. The carriers were firing off against the attackers along with the escorts like nobodies business.

Because its 2023 and not 1944. And we have escorts with world class air defence systems. The RN practices the layered air defence system. They know what they are doing.

They are, actually, the best defended airfield we posses, considering the RAFs stations have no GBAD cover. And they move. And are hard to target.

Exactly mate. When AIS is turned off. And running electronically silent. Warships very difficult to find.

What about the threat a multiple attack by drones? As these are an ever present risk. For instance when the QEC are in dock or alongside. I would always plan for the unanticipated, the Ukraine war being an eye opener to everyone.

Yes but we are not at war with Russia. The QE would not be alongside if a drone threat was imminent. That's why we use intelligence services and monitor threat levels across the globe. A carrier would simply not be in range of small drones. And the Fleet can cover hundreds of miles of airspace. Drones simply don't sneak up without anyone seeing them. That being said. Our warships do practice engaging swarm attacks.

Hi Robert,

I don't wish to beat a dead horse here but why then are the QE's the only class of carriers operated anywhere, that don't have any point defence missile system? Does the RN know something every other country doesn't? Even the French have Aster 15 on the Charles de Gaul. Can't other nations’ carriers groups also see out 500+nm?

The only reason I see why the QEs don't is – money; or lack thereof.

I simply dont understand the logic of underarming the carriers with self defence. Maybe they are the target?

RN practice sinking inflatables!!!

I appreciate not showing the gruesome carnage of the deflated Killer Tomato. There's only so much I can take.

Goid guns to use, 30 mm gyro stabilised , manual or auto..rate of fire can be 200 rounds per minute..easy to maintain, work with and has a good record of durability..perfect for defence against smaller boats / Drones and air defence reasonably effective too..value for money.. Ñ

Great things those tomatoes until a gust of wind carries it off in the other direction!

The issue on weaponry on our QE carriers won't go away. these ships and the Albion's, are our biggest and most important assets. Who will be bunged in front of the media to explain how a massive mainly unarmed royal navy ship ship with a crew of 300 and 400 marines, battle tanks and kit were lost? The Albion's have masses of room for protective systems to be fitted. I was surprised to see how few sponsons were on the design of the QE class these points are where add ons usually go. All RN ships should be able to… Read more »

Yup!