USS Higgins (DDG-76) - Weapons

Weapons

Weapons include one 50 cal. (caliber) lightweight gun, a light machine gun, 2 CIWS guns, Highly Explosive Electronically Timed (or HE-ET) and Kinetic Energy Electronically Timed (or KE-ET) 5” (5 inch) projectiles, one 25MM remote controlled machine gun, eight harpoon missiles, two torpedo launchers (total six tubes), Tactic Tomahawk missiles (also known as TACTOM missiles), and 110 missile launchers in all; 42 missile launchers in the front of the ship, 68 launchers in the back. Some of these weapons are controlled by monitors in the Combat Information Center (CIC) in the bridge. The 50 cal. and light machine gun are mounted on the left and right of the ship. The Harpoon missiles cross each others like an “X”; four missiles point left, another four point right. The CIWS (Close In Weapon System) is an anti-missile weapon that can shoot 60 rounds per second, but is short-ranged. With its radar, it can spot enemy missiles and bullets. The 25mm gun can be controlled by monitors or humans, so it can be used in any time of battle without injuring anyone. When the monitor is broken the sailors use it themselves.