Watch Again
Carriers at War:
This Aircraft Carrier Cannon Fires 4,500 Rounds a Minute
From: Carriers at War
»Strike Force Arabian Gulf
This Aircraft Carrier Cannon Fires 4,500 Rounds a Minute
The CIWS is the affectionate nickname given to a 20mm Vulcan Cannon on board the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier. It fires 4,500 rounds a minute, can hit a target five miles away and has bullets that are twice the normal size.
Tags
- aviation
- Middle East
- war
- warplanes
More About This episode
Aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush cruises deep in the Arabian Gulf for a six-month deployment in April 2017 to help ground troops defeat ISIS. Twenty stories high and more than three football fields long, this 100,000-ton ship carries 70 specialized aircraft armed and ready to fly into battle. Witness an up-close look at life aboard the carrier and the rigorous preparation highly skilled pilots and crew undergo before risking their lives to give air support to allied forces fighting on the ground.
Ways to Watch
Subscribe To
Stream hundreds of shows by starting your free trial to
Smithsonian Channel Plus.
More From This Episode
Related Videos
-
More Related Video (3)
Under Fire and Closing In
Short | 02:17 -
More Related Video (3)
Why the Air Force's Lightest Fighter Is Its Most Effective
Short | 01:35 -
More Related Video (3)
How a Subtle Design Change Transformed Fighter Planes
Short | 01:57 -
More Related Video (3)
A Tuskegee Airman Who Survived a Shredded Wing in Combat
Short | 02:22
Related Shows
Unlock Full Episodes
Access even more free Smithsonian Channel full episodes and documentaries online through participating TV providers.
Select Your Provider to Begin
Don't See Your Provider?
Find out if your television provider carries Smithsonian Channel.
Find Smithsonian Channel On Your TV
Choose Your Provider In
Great! Watch Us On
ResetOh No!
Great News!
Oh No!
Oh No!
request our channel
Oh no!
Some elements of our site may not work as intended because your operating system is not up to date.
Don't panic! To get the best possible experience on smithsonianchannel.com we recommend you upgrade your operating system.
Oh no!
Some elements of our site may not function as intended on this web browser.
For the best possible site experience, please use Chrome for Android.
Most Common Searches
Join Us on Snapchat
Add username "SmithsonianChan" on Snapchat for fun and fascinating facts. We'll be sharing spontaneous photos and videos as inspiration strikes.
Select a Date
-
Up Next
Replay
This Aircraft Carrier Cannon Fires 4,500 Rounds a Minute
-
The Intricate Skill That Goes Into Landing a Fighter Jet
Short | 03:20 -
Landing a Fighter Jet at Night Is Incredibly Dangerous
Short | 02:35 -
Under Fire and Closing In
Short | 02:17 -
Why the Air Force's Lightest Fighter Is Its Most Effective
Short | 01:35 -
How a Subtle Design Change Transformed Fighter Planes
Short | 01:57 -
A Tuskegee Airman Who Survived a Shredded Wing in Combat
Short | 02:22 -
This Aircraft Carrier Cannon Fires 4,500 Rounds a Minute