Editing Goalkeeper CIWS (section)

==Development==
Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V., in short Hollandse Signaal or Signaal (now [[Thales Nederland]]) began work on the Goalkeeper in 1975, developing it around the [[GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8]] gun. A prototype, the EX-83, was first demonstrated to the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] in 1979.

In 2012, the Dutch ministry of defense announced that the Goalkeeper systems in use by the Netherlands Navy will receive radar upgrades, mechanical improvements, new high-precision [[Frangible bullet|frangible ammunition]] and a new electro-optical tracking system. Also, the system's surface model will be improved to counter high-speed boats and [[fast attack craft]]. These upgrades will make the system more capable to defend ships against the latest threats such as modern [[anti-ship missile]]s, more effective in littoral environments and less vulnerable to malfunctions. It also expands the life of the system to at least 2025. The first of 16 systems will be upgraded and tested by Thales Nederland, the others at the naval base in [[Den Helder]].<ref name=upgrade>{{cite web |url=http://www.thalesgroup.com/Press_Releases/Countries/Netherlands/2012/Goalkeeper_update_program_for_Netherlands/ |title=Goalkeeper update program for Netherlands |access-date=2013-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204052601/http://www.thalesgroup.com/Press_Releases/Countries/Netherlands/2012/Goalkeeper_update_program_for_Netherlands/ |archive-date=2012-12-04 }} article from Thales Nederland</ref> The upgrade has been named the Upkeep Modification.

The development of the Upkeep Modification did not go smoothly. The costs associated with the upgrade rose 700,000 euro above the planned budget in 2015, and led to a loss for Thales Nederland in that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tubantia.nl/hengelo/thales-lijdt-miljoenenstrop~ad629fc2/|title=Thales lijdt miljoenenstrop|publisher=Tubantia|date=23 October 2015|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> Nonetheless, by 2016 the first upgrade was completed and placed aboard the [[HNLMS Evertsen (F805)|HNLMS ''Evertsen'']] for testing purposes. The newly upgraded Goalkeeper system brings numerous improvements and additions to the system, including new color and infrared cameras, a new control panel, new software and computers, and the ability to let several Goalkeeper systems work with each other simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/Gemoderniseerde-Goalkeeper-klaar-voor-tests-220716.html|title=Eerste gemoderniseerde Goalkeeper klaar voor tests|publisher=marineschepen.nl|date=22 July 2016|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>

In March 2018, the upgraded ''Goalkeeper CIWS'' passed the sea acceptance trial flawlessly. The Upkeep Modification is meant to bring the performance of the Goalkeeper system once again to the highest operational status, in correspondence with the Royal Netherlands Navy's ambition to optimally protect its crew and ships during overseas deployments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/march-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6067-thales-goalkeeper-passes-sea-acceptance-trials-following-upgrade.html|title=Thales Goalkeeper Passes Sea Acceptance Trials Following Upgrade |publisher=Navy Recognition|date=20 March 2018|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>